Storms and Wet Weather Checks for Adelaide Drivers

This guide is for Adelaide drivers getting ready for the cooler, wetter months when cold fronts bring storms, heavy rain and strong winds. It looks at what the September 2016 storm and statewide blackout taught South Australians, the electrical checks that keep you safe in the wet, and what to do if water gets into your car's electrics.

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What the September 2016 storm showed

On 28 September 2016, a cold front crossed South Australia bringing severe thunderstorms, destructive winds, large hail and heavy rain. The Bureau of Meteorology later reported at least seven tornadoes from several supercell thunderstorms, mostly in the Mid North. The tornadoes damaged 23 transmission towers, and at 3.48pm the state suffered a black system event, a statewide power outage.

Adelaide had power back within a few hours, but some parts of the state waited days. Damage and flooding were reported across Port Pirie, Whyalla, the Mid North, the Barossa, the Clare Valley, the Mount Lofty Ranges, Naracoorte and metropolitan Adelaide.

For drivers, the blackout was a reminder of how much depends on mains power. Traffic signals stop working without power. Fuel pumps and card payments need electricity. Electric garage doors stop working. And a phone with a flat battery is no help when you need warnings or directions.

Be ready for a blackout on the road

You can't prevent a blackout, but your car can be your backup when one happens. A few habits help:

• Keep at least a quarter to half a tank of fuel when severe weather is forecast, as service stations may be unable to pump without power.
• Carry a 12V phone charger or USB cable that works in your car, and keep the car's socket in working order.
• Learn how to use the manual release on your electric garage door so you can get the car out.
• If traffic lights are out, slow right down, treat the intersection with great care and follow any directions from police. Check the current SA road rules on what applies when signals are not working.
• Keep a torch in the glovebox rather than relying on the phone torch.

Wipers, lights and demisting

Adelaide drivers can go months with barely a drop of rain over summer, then face a downpour on Anzac Highway or the Southern Expressway in winter. That long dry spell is when wiper blades quietly perish. Replace any blade that smears, chatters or leaves streaks, and check the washer pump actually sprays.

Walk around the car with the headlights, tail lights, brake lights and indicators on. In heavy rain, other drivers rely on your lights to see you. Replace blown globes in pairs so both sides match in brightness. Our guides on changing a headlight globe and replacing a brake light globe walk you through it.

Fogged windows are a safety problem too. Check the rear demister lines all warm up and the blower fan works on every speed. A fan that only works on high usually points to a failed resistor, a common and fixable fault.

Never drive into floodwater

Low-lying roads, underpasses and creek crossings can flood quickly in a heavy storm, both on the Adelaide Plains and in the Hills. Water can be deeper and faster than it looks, and it only takes a small depth of moving water to float a car. Emergency services consistently warn drivers never to enter floodwater. Turn around and find another way.

There is also an electrical reason. Modern cars are full of connectors, modules and sensors mounted low in the body and engine bay. Water forced in by driving through a flood can cause faults straight away or corrosion that shows up weeks later. Water drawn into the engine's air intake can also cause severe engine damage.

If water gets into your car's electrics

If your car has been sitting in floodwater, don't try to start it. Disconnect the battery if it is safe to do so and have it checked before driving. Starting a car with water in the engine or in key electrical connectors can make the damage much worse. Call your insurer early, as many policies have specific steps for flood claims.

Less dramatic leaks cause trouble too. Blocked sunroof drains, perished door seals and leaking windscreen seals can let water drip onto modules under the dash or seats. Watch for:

• A damp carpet or musty smell after rain.
• Warning lights or electric windows that misbehave only in wet weather.
• Central locking or interior lights acting up after a storm.
• Fogging inside headlights or tail lights, which can corrode globe holders.

Battery and charging checks before winter

Cold, wet mornings ask more of your battery. The engine is harder to turn and you are running lights, wipers, the heater fan and the demister at the same time. A battery that coped through summer can let you down on the first cold, wet morning.

Have the battery tested before winter, and check the terminals are clean and tight. Our guides to testing a car battery and cleaning corroded battery terminals cover the basics. If the battery warning light comes on while you're driving in the rain, don't ignore it.

Fallen powerlines and trees

Strong winds bring down trees and powerlines. If you come across fallen lines, stay well clear and call Triple Zero (000). If a powerline falls on your car while you're inside, stay in the car unless there is a fire or other immediate danger, warn others to keep away, and wait for help.

For storm damage such as a tree on your car or flooding, contact the SA State Emergency Service on 132 500. Before you drive in severe weather, check warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology and the SA State Emergency Service.

Getting your car checked locally

Coastal suburbs and low-lying areas near the Port River often see wind-driven rain and water over roads in big storms. If you're in those areas, see our pages for the Western Beaches and Port Adelaide for local auto electricians who can sort wet-weather electrical faults.

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Questions Adelaide drivers ask

What happened in the September 2016 South Australian storm?

On 28 September 2016, a cold front brought severe thunderstorms, destructive winds, hail and heavy rain across South Australia. The Bureau of Meteorology reported at least seven tornadoes, mainly in the Mid North. Twenty-three transmission towers were damaged and the whole state lost power at 3.48pm. Adelaide's supply returned within hours, but some regional areas waited days.

Should I start my car after it has been in floodwater?

No. Starting a car that has been sitting in floodwater can draw water into the engine and short out wet electrical parts, making the damage worse. Leave it off, disconnect the battery if it is safe to do so, and contact your insurer. Have the car inspected by a qualified mechanic or auto electrician before it is driven again.

Why do my car's electrics play up only when it rains?

That usually means water is getting in somewhere. Common causes include blocked sunroof or scuttle drains, worn door or windscreen seals, and cracked light housings. Water can reach connectors and modules under the dash or seats and cause intermittent faults. Find and fix the leak first, then have any corroded connectors cleaned or replaced.

Who do I call for storm damage in South Australia?

For life-threatening emergencies, call Triple Zero (000). For storm and flood help such as a tree on your car or house, contact the SA State Emergency Service on 132 500. Report fallen powerlines immediately and stay well clear of them. Check the Bureau of Meteorology for current warnings before you drive.

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