Storm surges Hurricane Milton could turn electric vehicles and other products containing lithium-ion batteries into “time bombs,” Florida’s fire marshal warns.
Residents and first responders are being warned of an “alarming fire risk with lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, and hybrid and fuel cell vehicles in preparation for Hurricane Milton,” according to a news release Monday from Florida Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis, who also serves as the state’s chief financial officer.
Wednesday noon, Hurricane Milton was moving across the Gulf of Mexico as a powerful Category 4 storm, poised to make landfall along the west-central Florida coast Wednesday evening or early Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said .
The fire commissioner’s warning comes after previous incidents involving floodwaters caused electric vehicles to catch fire. Florida authorities have confirmed 48 lithium-ion battery fires linked to storm surge from Hurricane Heleneincluding 11 involving electric vehicles.
Beyond cars, other consumer products that may contain lithium-ion batteries include scooters, hoverboards, golf carts and toys.
Owners should move their electric vehicles to higher ground where their vehicles will be at less risk of flooding, Patronis said. After the storm, electric vehicles flooded by salt water should be moved from residences to safe locations, so “you can worry about repairing your house, instead of rebuilding it because of a fire,” said Patronis.
And firefighters in Palm Harbor, Florida, warned Tesla owners about their plug-in car last year batteries could catch fire if exposed to salt water after two of the electric vehicles caught fire following submersion.
Lithium-ion batteries, made up of a group of cells inside a compartment, contain a flammable liquid electrolyte. Electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles have around 1,000 times more cells than an electric bike, according to a study. CBS News Innovation Lab report. Batteries with higher energy and more cells are at greater risk of failure.
Vehicles or other devices at risk of flooding should be unplugged and moved to an open area in accordance with Tesla and Patronis guidelines.
Tips if your electric, hybrid or alternative fuel vehicle is flooded:
