CARS have been abandoned in the streets after a major storm flooded roads leaving behind scenes straight out of a zombie movie.
A tropical storm in South Florida led to a bunch of stalled cars stuck along the streets of Miami, creating an eerie car graveyard.
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“Looked like the beginning of a zombie movie,” Ted Rico, a tow truck driver who helped clean up the car, told the Associated Press.
“There’s cars littered everywhere, on top of sidewalks, in the median, in the middle of the street, no lights on.
“Just craziness, you know. Abandoned cars everywhere.”
Since Tuesday, more than 20 inches of rain has fallen around South Florida.
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The excessive rainfall triggered the National Weather Service to issue a high-risk flooding warning.
And after it poured, cars were seen completely surrounded by over a foot of water.
Some people tried to get to their vehicle with water up to their knees.
Others attempted to drive their cars through the floodwaters before having to leave the cars by the road, according to local ABC affiliate WSVN.
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“I misjudged the depth of the last part of the road, and the car got flooded,” said resident Sam Cemaj.
“It became inoperable, and I had to walk a mile with water up to my waist.”
Alex Demchemko, another resident revealed the damage around him was so bad he didn’t want to leave his house.
“We didn’t come out from our apartment, but we had to walk with our dog,” Demchemko said.
“A lot of flashes, rain, a lot of floating cars, and a lot of left cars without drivers, and there was a lot of water on the streets.
“It was kind of catastrophic.”
As of Friday, there are still hundreds of vehicles abandoned due to the flood.
‘WE’RE NOT DUMB’
One driver revealed how the storm almost left her with a $3,000 towing bill.
How to report an abandoned car
Reporting an abandoned vehicle is important for keeping city streets safe and clean
Not only is an abandoned car an eyesore, it’s also a hazard to the surrounding community as pests and rodents can take refuge in the interior, engine bay, or trunk.
Leaking fluids can be dangerous for the environment, as many vehicle fluids are toxic and can wreak havoc on ecosystems if they enter waterways.
They can also encourage crime with several cities like Oakland, California reporting that drug dealers may use them to hide and side drugs or weapons.
Abandoned vehicles can also lower property values.
Therefore, they’re worth Specific contact information for your city’s abandoned car hotline may vary, but the necessary information on the vehicle is the same.
When reporting an abandoned vehicle, police will need:
- The exact address of the vehicle
- Information on the steering column (broken, missing, intact, etc)
- Condition of the vehicle (severely damaged, windows broken, leaking fluids, missing body panels or doors, etc)
- Make and model
- Color
- Body style (pickup truck, SUV, sedan, etc)
- License plate number and state, if applicable
- VIN
Many cities will allow residents to report abandoned vehicles online through an online form, or it can be called in.
Source: ABC affiliate WPVI-TV
Driver Graciafe Cardenas was charged for a hook recovery tow, an administrative fee, and mileage after leaving her car outside Aventura Mall.
This is one of the biggest malls in the United States, and it’s known for having a variety of options like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and much more.
She said she didn’t want to leave her car but had no choice.
“I tried to back up and make a U-turn but it was stuck,” she told WPLG.
“Everything started going up and up and up. I was like I have to get out of the car.”
When she tried to get her car towed the next day, she was shocked by the bill.
“It’s kind of surprising how they were charging this price,” she said.
“It’s insane you know after the state was in an emergency.”
However, after negotiating with the towing company, she got her bill significantly reduced.
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Cardenas warned other drivers of the suspected price-gouging.
“We’re not dumb, we’re not stupid,” she said.
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