Flooding in Green Bay, Wisconsin, posed an obstacle for drivers on Wednesday night, with many choosing to drive through deep water. However, doing so can cause significant problems for vehicles. Auto repair shops like Auto Aces of Green Bay were kept busy after Wednesday’s flooding, with the owner warning that driving through flooded streets isn’t worth the risk to cars.

Flood Damage to Vehicles

According to Auto Aces Owner Brian Buck, deep water can be catastrophic for vehicles. The engine can suck in water through the air filter, causing extreme damage to the engine and transmission. Buck added that this year is the worst he’s ever seen with water impacting cars, with six vehicles coming into his store before 9 a.m. on Thursday, all with water-related issues.

Repairs can range from a few dollars to thousands of dollars, depending on the extent of the damage. Buck advised that the amount of water a car can drive through depends on the size of the car, with some able to handle about a foot of water, while others may experience major problems with just a few inches of water.

If drivers must go through flooded areas, Buck recommended going very slowly, turning on hazards, and avoiding making a wake that multiplies the depth of the water. Between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the Green Bay Metro Fire Department responded to 42 calls for service, many of which involved stalled vehicles in flooded roads.

City Response to Flooding

By Thursday afternoon, Green Bay Public Works reported that most of the water in the streets had subsided. Director Valerie Joosten said that the city had a number of different crews out responding to various issues on Wednesday night and that Thursday’s focus was on cleanup work. Joosten also suggested that people keep storm drains clear to limit future flooding.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.