Depending on where you live, floods might be common or they might not be. One of the worst feelings if you’ve never experienced one is the preparation for before, during and after the storm. 

Although they are not always predictable for events like flash floods, it is good to know how to prepare or what to do after a floor. An in-depth guide will offer suggestions based on location and many types of disasters. 

Here is a list of tips to protect yourself from a flood in the future.

Preparing For a Flood

As mentioned, floods are not always predictable, but you should know how to prepare if they can be. This list of ways to prepare may vary based on the BMW and vehicles you own but is a general guideline.

• Get the car to a higher location. Depending on where you live, try parking on a hill or at the top of the above-ground parking garage. The lower you are on the ground, the more area it has to lay around before draining. If you live in your own home with a garage and do not have an option such as these, try lifting it in the air with jacks or cinder blocks to keep it away from potential standing water. 
• Stay away from trees, poles, etc. If you live in an area where there might be trees and powerlines that you can park under, a suggestion is to stay clear of them. Tips may vary based on location. 
• Remember to seal it! If your BMW has a top, make sure it is on and sealed by the windows. If it has a sunroof, make sure it is closed and shut tight. 
• Shut it down. Some vehicles, especially BMW’s have systems that periodically run while the car is not in operation. To prevent potential damage during the flood, make sure they are off and do not attempt to drive. 
• Disconnect the battery. Another option to prevent damage to electronics or internal parts is to disconnect the battery entirely. This method is effective in allowing no electricity to pass through the system while water could ruin it. 
• Other preparations. Depending on evacuation and emergency protocols, it may be good practice to keep necessary emergency supplies and a full tank of gas in the vehicle. In addition, check the insurance for flood coverage. 

What to Do During a Flood

If you happen to get caught during flood situations, there are necessary safety precautions and practices to stay safe. Any suggestions for during a flood or storm vary up severity and a few ways to prevent further damage.

• Use Caution. Cautious driving is one of the safest options when stumbling upon flooding situations. If the conditions progressively worsen, consider parking somewhere high or away from standing water with the car sealed. 
• Steer clear from puddles. If you must continue driving during the storm, steer away from puddles as they might be deceiving you. A puddle can be challenging to identify the depth and cause more damage outside of splashing water all over. If you must drive through, go slow and steady. 
• Power loss. If the car is caught in severe flooding and loses power, either immediately attempt to restart it or do not attempt to. Water will work its way into the motor if trying to start it repeatedly and cause severe damage. 

Recovering After a Flood

Recovering from a flood can be difficult depending on what happened and how you prepared. Vehicles involved in floods are unsafe to drive and may appear to be in fine working condition. Here are a few tips on recovering from a flood.  

• Begin by drying. Open all windows, doors and remove carpets outside, allowing sunlight to dry the moisture. Use vacuums to suck up large amounts of water if necessary to speed up the drying process.
• Turn on fans and heating. This will help reduce moisture and inhibit mold from growing in places you do not want it. 
• Do not attempt to restart the car. If you reinstall a battery or try to start your BMW after being flooded, it can destroy the electronics. Before trying to start it or anything related to electronics, ensure all water and moisture are gone.
• Change fluids. After storms, a good practice is to change the fluids of the car to expel and lose any added water that may have gotten into the systems. Water that has gotten into the coolant or oil can cause catastrophic damage if not replaced. 
• Replace air filters. Replace all of the air filters in the vehicle, so the motor does not take in any of the water. Also, replace interior air filters that mold and mildew do not build up in the cabin and cause other issues later down the road. 
• See a mechanic. The safest option after a flood, once the car is dry, is to see a mechanic. A mechanic will tell you everything that might potentially be wrong and if it is possible to fix it. If you do not feel comfortable driving to a mechanic to get it checked out, call for a tow to be safe. 

The results of floods are unpredictable and can be costly. There are many methods to recovering and may vary depending on your scenario. It’s often best to seek help when recovering from a flood to ensure that everything’s taken care of. 

Seek Help

If you are afraid of permanent damage to your BMW, seek help or call your insurance agent to make a claim. If purchasing a vehicle after a flood, there are a few suggestions and problems you may run into.