In a dramatic garage showdown, a Tesla decided to light up after flooding from Hurricane Helene, prompting Pinellas County officials to remind electric vehicle owners that saltwater and sparks make a shocking combination.

As Hurricane Helene left a trail of devastation, including at least 91 reported deaths and millions without power, a Tesla's fiery display in a flooded garage serves as a stark warning to electric vehicle owners: when life gives you saltwater, don’t park your EV in harm's way. Pinellas County officials are urging residents to think twice about garage parking during storms, because nothing says disaster like a vehicle that goes up in flames right when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

The flames erupted after water from the hurricane flooded the garage, creating a situation that could only be classified as a laundry list of poor decisions. The home surveillance video of the incident captures thick clouds of smoke billowing from the garage, making it appear as if the Tesla had taken its cues from the storm and decided to host its own hot tub party a little too literally.

Fortunately, there were no injuries reported in the aftermath of this electrifying episode. It seems the only casualty was the garage’s good reputation, already tattered by the storm’s arrival. In a world where one plans for emergency weather, one might hope the Tesla would’ve sought higher ground rather than a sauna-style experience during the hurricane.

This incident has caused Pinellas County officials to feel positively prompted to share words of wisdom with other electric vehicle owners. A video warning was released, cautioning them about the potential calamities of parking their expensive battery-powered rides in flood-prone areas. The county has stated that while electric vehicles offer a plethora of conveniences, they do come with their own unique set of tantrums when coffee spills—er, I mean, when saltwater floods nearby.

Notably, saltwater can lead to fires in electric vehicles, which is certainly not the kind of crisis-management lesson one would want to learn from personal experience. Here we are, a testament to the adage that it’s not just the wind and rain you need to prepare for, but also the possibility of your vehicle catching fire after flooding.

In issuing their advisory, officials emphasized the necessity of moving vehicles away from combustible materials. This begs the question: Can we still park them near garden gnomes, or are they also classified as combustible? In all seriousness, as storm season looms, the recommendation stands firm: avoid parking in garages during severe storms. Instead, perhaps consider a nice parking space near your neighbor’s electric scooter, away from anything that might resemble a flame-worthy situation.

Hurricane Helene itself was no light drizzle, touching down in Florida as a Category 4 storm with winds reaching a staggering 140 mph. The hurricane wreaked havoc across multiple states, leaving more than 2 million customers without power—a moment of clarity in the chaos, reminding us that even if your car can go from 0 to 60 in seconds, it’s not likely to outrun a rampaging hurricane.

So let this be a lesson, dear electric vehicle owners: when you're forecasting stormy weather or anywhere the word 'hurricane' is in the air, think about where your prized Tesla is parked. Your car is a marvel of technology, but it’s best to leave the showmanship to seasoned performers, unapologetically avoiding any unasked-for spotlight time in your garage.