Back in 2015 we wrote an article about protecting your classic car during a hurricane. With the recent destruction left behind from hurricanes Harvey & Irma, we thought it would be a good idea to revisit some tips, tricks and advice on how to keep your classic car or truck safe during a hurricane. For some our advice may be too late, but we hope we can give some advice before the next major storm barrels down on us.
While safety of human life comes first, many of you consider your rides as part of the family. You would do anything to keep your prized possessions safe and sound from mother nature’s wrath. One obvious choice is to get yourself and your classic to higher ground, preferably inside safe from any damaging winds as well. Don’t wait until the last minute either. Have a few escape routes planned in case of flooding.
Road & Track just featured a story about a central Florida company that was offering safe storage during Irma for exotic and collector cars. While we commend their last-minute generosity, we suggest you find a place long before the storm starts to form.
We all know that another hurricane is eventually coming. A few insurance companies are using technology to beat the storms and keep their customers and their property dry and safe. Some insurance carriers are enlisting the help of mapping and analytics software like Esri to determine which customers are most at risk. They can then notify those customers to make them aware of how likely they are to be struck by hurricane force winds or if they live in an area that is likely to be affected by flooding.
Other tactics to save your classic include jacking up your vehicle above the water level. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the lift clearance to survive a 5 to 10 ft. storm surge or 50 inches of rain coming down.
Check out this guy using jacks, stands and landscaping blocks to save his collector BWM M3 during Harvey in Houston.
If you decide to ride out the storm, please remember that your garage door is one of the weakest and most vulnerable doors in your home. Consider boarding it up and bracing it from the inside to withstand the onslaught of wind and water.
It is also a good idea to make sure there isn’t anything in your garage that could fall or float into your classic. Tie it down or move it so your car doesn’t get scratched or dented.
Finally, don’t forget to disconnect the battery and store all the important papers, like the title and service records, in a dry safe place, not the glove box. Keep them wherever you are going to store personal documents like your birth certificate. It is probably best to keep these important papers with you.