This blog post examines a viral local news story about a Charleston, South Carolina medical student whose car floated during severe flash flooding, then received parking citations after drifting into a tow-away zone.
I break down the facts of the incident, explain the physics and safety context behind vehicle flotation in flash floods, and offer practical advice for drivers and city officials based on three decades of experience in flood science and emergency management.
What happened in Charleston?
Anna Brooks, a recent arrival to Charleston for medical school, parked on a side street near campus that she later learned was prone to sudden flooding.
After two days of heavy rain that dumped roughly 11 inches in the area, her vehicle was carried a short distance by floodwaters and ended up in a tow-away zone.
Incident details and public reaction
Brooks posted a TikTok video showing her car submerged up to the bumper with three parking citations visible on the windshield; the clip quickly amassed millions of views.
Although the vehicle only drifted a few feet, the city issued three citations because it landed in an illegal parking area.
She appealed the tickets and successfully had two of the three dismissed, but the ordeal continued: the car was ultimately totaled by water damage, the insurer needed to pick it up, and the city impounded the vehicle before the insurance transfer could occur.
Why cars float in surprisingly shallow water
From a physical standpoint, vehicles are more buoyant than most people expect.
According to FEMA, as little as 12 inches of flowing water can move a mid-sized car.
Fast-moving water adds dynamic forces that can easily overcome the friction of tires and the mass of a vehicle.
Technical context
Hydrodynamic lift and reduced traction combine during flash floods to allow a car to float or be pushed even when water appears shallow.
Emergency managers and hydrologists have long warned that depth alone is not the only hazard—flow velocity and debris are equally critical.
Charleston’s low-lying coastal topography and aging drainage systems make it particularly vulnerable to these sudden events.
Practical takeaways for drivers and municipalities
Policy and community recommendations
Municipalities should consider policies that waive or expedite review of citations when vehicles are displaced by documented flood events. Clear signage in flood-prone corridors can help reduce risk and administrative burden.
Proactive tow policies during storms, and public alerts that specifically address parking, are also important. Insurers and tow companies can coordinate to prevent additional costs to owners whose vehicles are both water-damaged and impounded.
Anna Brooks called the episode a “crazy experience” and a costly lesson. Her story helps highlight that flood risk is not abstract.
With climate-driven increases in heavy downpours, understanding the mechanics of flash floods is crucial. Adopting simple precautions can prevent similar situations.
Here is the source article for this story: Woman finds car ticketed multiple times after flash flooding floats car into tow away zone