Monica Reed

Photo: Canva

Can you spot a flood car?

The flooding and devastation from Hurricane Ian is terrible!  it can bring out the best in people but it can also bring out the worst in people.  For instance, unsuspecting people can buy a flood damaged car that has been through the worst!  A few minor, inexpensive repairs and flood-damaged cars can regularly end up back on the roads with a flood of mechanical or electrical problems.  The cars are usually quick fixed and shipped to other cities out of state for a quick profit. Of course, you get a flood of headraces with the car!

The used car market so hot, so that means many damaged vehicles from Hurricane Ian could end up in Clarksville, Hoptown, Oak Grove or anywhere close! Be aware! They often are transported out of market so they can be sold to customers that may not be looking for signs of recent water damage, according to consumer reports.

When you first look at a vehicle, it might be perfect to the naked eye, but how can you check to see if it’s been in a flood?

  1. Water damage will show up in a car’s oil and fluids.
  2. Look to see if there’s rust where it shouldn’t be, like hinges in the doors and hood.
  3. Look for a water line on the headlight covers.
  4. If the carpet has been replaced on an older model car, that’s another red flag.

When buying a used vehicle, get 2 mechanics to look the vehicle over to see if someone isn’t trying to get one over on you!

News from ClarksvilleNow.com

yesterday in News, Weather

Weekend weather: Rainy start on Friday, then sunny and dry

Clarksville forecast: Rain is expected to return late Friday, with showers likely into Friday night before tapering off early Saturday.

A car crashed into a tree on Rossview Road on Jan. 1, 2026. (Enrique Hernandez, Dash 10 Media)

yesterday in News

5 injured in 2 serious crashes on New Year’s Eve in Montgomery County

Five people were injured in two serious crashes in Montgomery County late on New Year’s Eve, with one crash on Paul Huff Parkway and another on Rossview Road.

Clockwise from the top left, Woodstock flooding, state hospital hearing, Gary the Guardrail and Matt Van Epps.

Wednesday in News, Special Reports

Top 10 news stories of 2025 in Clarksville, from floods to hospitals to Gary the Guardrail | COMMENTARY

It’s time to click through the Clarksville Now archives for the last 12 months and try to make sense of the year that was, along with my own takes on what happened.

Wednesday in Crime, News

UPDATE: 3 women punched, spit, splashed liquor after attempted shoplifting on Christmas Eve

Clarksville Police are asking for the public’s help identifying three women who assaulted multiple victims at a store in Governor’s Square Mall on Christmas Eve.

Dorian McMiller (Contributed)

Wednesday in News

MISSING JUVENILE ALERT: Police seek help finding 16-year-old who ran away on Christmas

The Clarksville Police Department is asking for the public’s help finding a runaway juvenile.