BOCA RATON, Fla. — “The downpour went from just regular rain to extreme flooding, and I was actually stuck in a parking lot for an hour,” said Mathew Mondo, service manager at Arnst Ocean Automotive.
On Wednesday, Mondo was working on a Jeep Grand Cherokee after a driver lost control in the rain and broke the steering column.
“The entire road was covered in water and caused him to lose his steering and hit a pothole causing about $8,000 in damage,” Mondo said.
Driving through floodwaters is not only dangerous but costly. A flooded engine or water leaks can lead to thousands of dollars in damage.
“An hour waiting is a lot better than being without your car for a couple of weeks,” Mondo said.
Delray Beach Police are reminding drivers it is imperative to understand that once the roadway is flooded, don't try to drive through it. If you can't see the sidewalks or the center median, that is an indicator that your car can't pass. Also, if you see another vehicle broken down, don't go into the middle of the flooded area.