After the horrific damage caused by Hurricane Helene, local officials issued a warning to electric vehicle owners. Officials asked residents who have electric vehicles and hybrids to be alert for potential fires caused by flooding. “Electric Vehicles that have been flooded in saltwater can catch fire. If you evacuated and left an electric vehicle or golf cart in your garage or under a building and you are not able to get to it or move it, we want you to let us know,” the Pinellas County Government stated. The local government’s X account posted footage of a Tesla that caught fire inside a homeowner’s garage. WATCH: Electric Vehicles that have been flooded in saltwater can catch fire. If you evacuated and left an electric vehicle or golf cart in your garage or under a building and you are not able to get to it or move it, we want you to let us know. /1 pic.twitter.com/dpfiXRAGuR — Pinellas County (@PinellasGov) September 28, 2024 WFLA reports: All barrier islands and beaches in Pinellas County are set to reopen at 4 p.m. to residents, business owners, and employees with a Barrier Island Re-Entry permit, officials said. Helene blew ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday packing winds of 140 mph (225 kph) and then quickly moved through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, splintering homes and sending creeks and rivers over their banks, churning up tornadoes and straining dams. The hurricane’s massive rains and powerful winds left at least 52 people dead, caused widespread destruction across the U.S. Southeast and left millions without power. “HYBRID & EV OWNERS: Saltwater flooding can cause hidden damage to your electric vehicle’s battery, even if it appears normal. This corrosion can lead to dangerous fires days or even weeks later. If your electric vehicle was exposed to saltwater during the storm, do not attempt to drive or charge it. Contact your EV manufacturer for advice on removal and towing,” St. Petersburg Fire Rescue wrote on Facebook. Important info for all to be aware of. ——- from St. Petersburg Fire Rescue: HYBRID & EV OWNERS: Saltwater flooding can cause hidden damage to your electric vehicle's battery, even if it appears normal. This corrosion can lead to dangerous fires days or even weeks later.… pic.twitter.com/AXukPxgpR5 — Alysha (@Dimples5490) September 28, 2024 Per FOX Weather: The combination of storm surge from the Gulf of Mexico and lithium-ion batteries in vehicles has proven to be a recipe for disaster, as Florida agencies report responding to numerous fires in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Photos and videos from the Tampa Bay area show the aftermath of highly combustible batteries being exposed to saltwater, leaving homes damaged and cars destroyed. A surge of 5-8 feet was reported across the metro during Helene, flooding thousands of homes and raising the potential for further destruction. Tampa Mayor Jane Castor warned that she’s seen reports of cars and even scooters that were exposed to saltwater and exploded in the days since landfall. Helene is not the first hurricane where an increase in EV-related fires has occurred, a similar streak of incidents were reported during Hurricanes Idalia and Ian, both of which were powerful storms that impacted the Florida coastline.