Storm season
Hail, high water and what to check after the storm
Spring in central Oklahoma means severe weather: big hail, straight-line winds, flash flooding and tornado warnings every Oklahoman knows by heart. Most people think of storm damage as dents and broken glass, and that's body-shop and windshield work. What we look for is the damage you can't see from the driveway.
Water is the big one. Driving through a flooded underpass or parking in a low lot can push water into the air intake, the transmission, the differentials and the wiring. An engine that pulls in water can be destroyed the moment it's started, so if your car sat in high water, don't keep trying to crank it. Call us and we'll check it where it sits.
After hail or high wind, we check for cracked lights and sensors, dents in the radiator and A/C condenser behind the grille, and debris in the cooling fan. Then we tell you plainly which repairs are mechanical and can be done on-site, and which belong with your insurance company or a body shop.
And when the water is rising, remember the National Weather Service's warning: about 12 inches of rushing water can carry away most cars, and 2 feet can carry away SUVs and trucks. Turn around, don't drown.