CARFAX is estimating that upwards of 138,000 vehicles were flood damaged by Hurricane Helene, which caused destruction in at least six Southeastern states.

Of those, the one with the most water-damaged vehicles from the hurricane is Florida at 60,700 vehicles.

South Carolina is second at 27,500, followed by North Carolina at 22,900 and Georgia at 16,800.

CARFAX estimates that Tennessee and Virginia each saw 4,900 vehicles with flood damage.

The vehicles damaged in the wake of Helene add to the approximately 89,000 vehicles that already had water-damage in 2024, the company said.

Not to mention, the potential impact from Hurricane Milton earlier this month.

CARFAX is urging vigilance as potential scammers may attempt to clean these vehicles damaged by Helene and sell them in coming weeks.

“After cleaning up the cars and moving them across the country, these scammers will try to lure unsuspecting buyers into thinking they’re getting a great deal,” said Faisal Hasan, vice president for data at CARFAX. “These cars may look showroom fresh, but they’re literally rotting from the inside out.”

In addition to the mechanical and electrical issues in the vehicles themselves, floodwater cans lead to health and safety risks, CARFAX said.

The company lists these seven signs of flooding:

  • Damp carpets
  • A musty odor inside, sometimes covered up with a strong air-freshener
  • Upholstery or carpeting that may be loose, new, stained or mismatched
  • Rust around doors, under the dash, on pedals or in hood and trunk latches
  • Mud or silt in the glove compartment or under the seats
  • Brittle wires under the dashboard
  • Fog or moisture in interior lights, exterior lights or on the instrument panel