CARFAX: Up to 48,000 Vehicles Damaged by Mid-Year Flooding

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Oct 13, 2026, 08:00 ET

In the Wake of Hurricane Isaias, CARFAX Warns Shoppers to Watch for Flood-Damaged Cars

CENTREVILLE, Va., Oct. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As communities assess the damage caused by Hurricane Isaias, the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026, CARFAX is warning used-car shoppers that the impact of a storm doesn't end when the rain stops. Flood-damaged vehicles can resurface for sale after a storm, making it important for shoppers to know what to look for and check a vehicle's history before buying. In fact, CARFAX estimates as many as 48,000 vehicles in the U.S. may have already sustained flood damage from storms earlier this year.

Storms between April and August impacted thousands of vehicles in states including Michigan, Wisconsin, Mississippi, Indiana and West Virginia. Law enforcement warns these vehicles can make their way into the used-car market, even in cities and states far from where the original flooding occurred. These newly flood-damaged vehicles add to the more than half a million water-damaged vehicles already on U.S. roads, according to CARFAX data.

These are the top 10 states with the most water-damaged vehicles currently on the road, according to CARFAX:

"Floodwater can leave behind damage that isn't always obvious when a vehicle is cleaned up and put back on the market. And those cars can appear far from the area where the storm occurred," said Paul Nadjarian, Chief Product Officer at CARFAX. "With storms bringing flooding across the country, it's a good reminder for anyone shopping for a used car to understand its reported history. A vehicle may look great on the outside while hidden water damage can create serious problems. Consumers can search millions of new and used vehicles on CARFAX Car Listings, where every listing includes a free CARFAX Report. "

How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Vehicle

For consumers who want to make sure the car they have or they're considering hasn't been reported as flood-damaged, CARFAX offers a free Flood Check® tool at carfax.com/flood. In addition, CARFAX recommends that buyers have the vehicle inspected prior to purchase, looking for these potential signs of water damage:

A musty or moldy odor in the interior
Damp carpets
Upholstery or carpeting that is loose, new, stained or doesn't match the rest of the interior
Rust around doors, under the dashboard, on the pedals or inside the hood and trunk latches
Mud or silt in the glove compartment, under the seats, or up higher than usual
Brittle wires under the dashboard
Fog or moisture beads in interior lights, exterior lights or the instrument panel

Consumers should review the vehicle's reported history, have the vehicle inspected by a trusted mechanic and take it for a thorough test drive before purchasing.

Editor's note: CARFAX has estimates of the number of flooded cars for each state. Interviews with a CARFAX expert also are available upon request. Please contact [email protected].

About CARFAX

CARFAX, part of Mobility Global Inc. (NYSE: MBGL), helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service, and sell cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX® vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides CARFAX Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value, and the flagship CARFAX Report to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post and USA Today. Shop, Buy, Service, Sell – Show me the CARFAX®.

Mobility Global is the world's standard for automotive information, providing critical data and analytics across the full vehicle lifecycle. Mobility Global supports the world's major automotive manufacturers, suppliers, dealer groups, media, financial institutions, and consumers with data, forecasts, insights, technology, and innovation. For more information, visit mobilityglobal.com.

SOURCE CARFAX