There are more than a few things, like oil, that do not mix well with water.

Topping that list for this summer are motor vehicles, which is a costly reality for vehicle owners and insurers after the deluge-heavy hurricanes that have targeted the coastal United States.

Water-damaged cars

Once Hurricane Harvey abated it was clear vehicle salvage numbers would jump in greater Texas. With car ownership in Houston running at about 1.8 vehicles per household and a population of nearly 7 million people, thousands of private, commercial and dealer-owned vehicles have been exposed to water inundation, according to recent Wired magazine coverage.

Salvage numbers for Florida after Hurricane Irma should fall well short of Houston’s toll simply because hypervigilant public authorities, supported by 24-hour media coverage, kept most drivers off the roadways during Irma’s landfall. Even so, vehicle claims will bump up in the Southeastern U.S. as well. Hurricane Maria’s vehicle claims in Puerto Rico are as yet to be determined because the damage has been so pervasive.

Typical outcome of catastrophic storms

Although these were dreadful events experienced by millions of people, their watery consequences for property like motor vehicles are typical for catastrophic storms. However, even the desert West is not immune to the inimical power of water.