
Hurricane Ida has closed auto dealerships across southern Lousiana and Southwest Mississippi. The hurricane, which made landfall in Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida on Sunday and continues to move inland as a tropical storm, is considered one of the strongest storms to hit the Louisiana coast in 150 years. Ida is predicted to drop total rainfall accumulations of 10 to 18 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 24 inches. Flooding is widespread along the coast and may intensify over the next few days.
The possibility of Hurricane Harvey type damage to vehicles, both owned and on dealership lots is looming large. From Aug. 17, 2017 – Sept. 3, 2017 Harvey pummeled Houston, Texas, causing severe flooding that destroyed over 1 million cars. Car dealers are already dealing with shortages and Ida’s destruction will more than likely add to these headaches. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina caused flooding in 80 percent of New Orleans.