ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions twice per week in a segment called “Ask Trooper Steve.”
Trooper Steve on Tuesday was asked, “My car went missing after it got stuck in some water. How do I find it?”
After a night of heavy rain and severe weather, the last thing anyone wants to deal with is a missing vehicle.
But for some Central Florida drivers, that’s exactly what happened as cars left in flooded areas were towed for safety.
[PREVIOUS ASK TROOPER STEVE: Do I have to light my tags?]
So what happens now? How do you even begin tracking down where it went?
This is actually a pretty common situation after storms. The good news is there’s a straightforward way to figure it out.
Anytime a towing company removes a vehicle without the driver present, they are required to notify law enforcement. That includes situations like parking violations, disabled vehicles and flood-related removals.
When a storm rolls through and roadways become impassable, law enforcement and road crews often must get vehicles out of harm’s way quickly. So, if your car was stuck in high water and had to be removed, chances are it’s on an official tow log.
[VIDEO BELOW: Flooding washes out Lake County roads]
Don’t panic, just contact the non-emergency number for your local law enforcement agency. Give them your:
- Name
- License plate number
- Vehicle description
- Location where it was last seen
Dispatchers can look up whether your vehicle was towed and, if so, which company has it and how you can get it back.
If this situation hits close to home after the latest round of storms, you’re not alone and you’re not without options.
Bottom line: Start with law enforcement’s non-emergency line and they will help guide you the rest of the way.
Stay dry, stay safe, and remember: cars can be replaced, you can’t.