Before a storm, get the battery tested so a weak one doesn't fail on evacuation day. If you leave a car behind, park it on high ground and disconnect the negative cable if you're comfortable with it. After a storm, never try to start a car that sat in floodwater. Have it towed and inspected. A dry car that just sat may only need a jump, a charge and a test.
Before the season
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, which overlaps exactly with the hottest months and the hardest stretch for batteries. Florida heat and car batteries.
- Get the battery tested in early summer, especially if it's around three years old.
- Know where your battery is and how to disconnect it, in case you need to.
- Keep a jump pack charged in the car or the house. A small one fits in a glove box.
- Find your jump points. Some cars hide the battery. The manual shows where to connect.
When a storm is coming
Evacuations mean hours in traffic with the A/C running, stop-and-go on I-75 or I-4, and phone chargers working the whole time. A weak battery that would've lasted another month in normal driving can quit right when you need it.
If you're leaving:
- Fill up early and get the car checked if you've had any warning signs.
- Charge your jump pack.
- Don't run accessories off the battery with the engine off.
If you're staying and leaving a car behind:
- Park on the highest ground you can, away from trees. In low-lying areas like Shore Acres, Davis Islands, Apollo Beach and the beaches, a parking garage's upper levels are often safer than a driveway. Check whether your building or city opens garages for storm parking.
- Consider disconnecting the negative cable if the car will sit a while. This stops slow drains. Be aware some cars lose settings or need codes after.
After the storm
If the car flooded
Don't start it. Don't even try. Water in the engine can wreck it the moment it cranks, and water in the electrical system can short things out. If the water got above the floor, or into the engine bay, have it towed and inspected. Call your insurer.
Salt water is worse than fresh. It corrodes electrical connections fast, and saltwater-flooded cars can have electrical problems that show up weeks later, even fires. After the 2024 season, many Pinellas drivers learned this firsthand.
If the car stayed dry but sat
It may just be drained from sitting and heat. A jump, a long drive and a test usually sort it out. If the battery was old, the sitting may have finished it. Jump start or new battery?
If you disconnected the battery
Put the negative cable back on and tighten it. If you took both cables off, the positive goes on first and the negative goes on last. Some cars need a short drive to relearn idle or window positions.
After-storm demand
After a big storm, everyone needs everything at once. Roads may be closed, power may be out, and parts stores may be shut. We'll do what we can, but response times can stretch. If your car is dry and you have a jump pack, you may be able to get moving on your own.
Generators and batteries
Keep generators well away from the car and the garage. Never run one in a closed garage. And don't try to use your car battery to run household things for long periods. It's not built for deep cycling and you'll drain it flat.
After the season
Once things calm down, get the battery tested. A season of heat, storms and sitting can leave a battery weaker than it looks. Signs your battery is dying.
See 24-hour battery replacement and battery testing.
Other things people ask about this
Should I disconnect my car battery before a hurricane?
If the car will sit for a while and you’re comfortable doing it, disconnecting the negative cable prevents slow drains. Some cars lose settings when you do.
Can I start my car after it was in floodwater?
No. Have it towed and inspected first. Starting a flooded car can cause major damage.
My car sat during the storm and won’t start. Is the battery ruined?
Not necessarily. If the car stayed dry, it may just need a jump, a charge and a test.