In a harrowing example of the dangers electric vehicle (EV) owners face in the aftermath of natural disasters, a Tesla burst into flames inside a Florida garage flooded with saltwater from Hurricane Helene. Shocking footage released by Pinellas County officials shows the electric car engulfed in flames within moments, a stark warning to others about the potential risks EVs pose after exposure to saltwater flooding.

The surveillance footage, taken from the cluttered garage, shows the fire igniting beneath the Tesla before quickly spreading, filling the garage with thick smoke in under a minute. The devastating blaze is just one of many incidents that have unfolded as the Southeast recovers from the havoc wrought by Hurricane Helene, which slammed into Florida last week as a Category 4 storm.

Pinellas County officials released the video to alert electric car and bike owners about the dangers their vehicles may pose after being exposed to saltwater. As a precaution, they urged EV owners to park their vehicles at least 50 feet away from other combustible materials and avoid storing them inside their homes or garages. Additionally, the county recommended having EVs towed to dealerships for inspection before driving them post-storm.

This incident underscores the real-world consequences of rushing headlong into electric vehicle adoption without fully considering the unique risks these cars pose, particularly in regions prone to flooding and other natural disasters. As climate change advocates and progressive policymakers push for widespread EV adoption, conservative voices have long pointed out that there are real-world challenges that must be addressed before America can fully transition to an electric future.

Hurricane Helene devastated the Southeast, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. With winds up to 140 mph, the storm swept through Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, leading to widespread flooding and hundreds of water rescues. The death toll has risen to at least 91, with officials fearing that number will climb even higher as rescue operations continue.

Power outages remain widespread, with more than 2 million customers still in the dark as of Sunday night. Emergency response teams are working tirelessly to deliver water and other supplies to those stranded by precarious floodwaters, but recovery efforts are being hampered by the extensive damage to infrastructure.

In the wake of the disaster, President Joe Biden called the power of Hurricane Helene “stunning” and promised the affected states “everything we have” to support recovery efforts. However, it’s clear that despite the government’s pledges, the road to recovery will be long and difficult for millions of Americans impacted by this storm.

For EV owners, the warnings from officials should serve as a sobering reminder that electric vehicles—heralded by the left as the future of clean energy—are not without their risks. While many Americans have embraced EVs in hopes of reducing their carbon footprint, incidents like the Tesla fire in Florida highlight the dangers these vehicles can pose, particularly in disaster-prone areas.

As America continues to push for cleaner energy and more environmentally friendly technology, it is essential that common-sense precautions are taken to ensure safety, especially in the face of extreme weather events. Electric vehicles may be the future, but we must ensure that future is safe for everyone—especially when disaster strikes.

Until then, EV owners should heed the warnings, take necessary precautions, and remain vigilant in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation.