Utah
Utah could be hit by a surge of flood-damaged cars in the wake of Helene’s stormwaters
SALT LAKE CITY — The damage done by Hurricane Helene’s stormwater has damaged thousands of cars, trucks, and SUVs, which can cause sorts of hidden issues that slowly turn them into junk: electrical damage, engine issues, corrosion, and more.
Several car owners do not immediately see that damage, and insurance companies tend not to mess around. Those companies could brand a flooded car’s title as “salvage” or a “total loss.”
But not all cars don’t stay that way. Scammers have been known to repair cars and wash their titles by fraudulently documenting damages. This allows them to resell flood-damaged cars for much more than they’re worth.
Flooded cars with washed titles tend to turn up far away from a storm’s flood zone, like in Utah.
“They will clean them up and they will sit on them,” said Patrick Olsen, editor-in-chief at CARFAX. “And they’ll bring them to places like Utah and Minnesota, Illinois, Kentucky – places where consumers aren’t really thinking about flooded cars.”
CARFAX, which offers a free tool for consumers to determine whether their car has hidden flooding damage, estimates that about 7,000 vehicles in Utah have been damaged by water.
KSL Investigates has reported on some of the signs to watch out for and spot a car with water damage. While the water substantially damages a car’s engine and electrical systems, the best place to check for damage may be the trunk.
As engine compartments become easier to clean, CARFAX recommends looking for rust in and around the spare tire well or the car’s jack. In the cabin, pull up some upholstery and see if there is sediment underneath it.
Also, CARFAX suggested buyers look for water beads in places where they should not be, like inside a headlight can. But the biggest thing is to look for mud and silt stains in places that are hard to clean, like glove boxes, trunks, and under the hood.
Whether it’s a CARFAX or some other provider, buyers should always pull a vehicle history report to see what kind of damage has been reported. Experts said buyers should always have a mechanic check out a car before they buy, as mechanics see telltale signs of damage that untrained eyes often miss.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Department of Public Safety is urging people to make sure items are safely secured to vehicles while traveling on Utah roads. Saturday marks the 10th annual National Secure Your Load Day, and DPS is using the occasion to remind motorists that securing cargo isn’t just the law — it saves lives.
So far this year, there have been over 130 debris-related crashes in Utah, which are dangerous for other drivers and troopers who have to retrieve that debris.
“Statewide, on average about 70 times a day, highway patrol gets called to respond to debris in the roadways, so that adds up to over 25,000 times per year that we’re having to respond to get items pulled out of the roadway that people have not secured,” said UHP Lt. Zach Randall.
Unsecured loads are a persistent hazard on Utah’s roads, contributing to more than 700 preventable crashes and traffic disruptions each year. While incidents have dropped 12% over the past five years, DPS said the risk remains high and urges drivers to take “full responsibility for their cargo” before hitting the road.
Over the last five years, 17 fatalities have been caused by debris-related crashes.
Debris hazards can also cause serious injuries or deaths when striking vehicles, cyclists, or pedestrians, with DPS noting that such obstacles are often difficult to avoid safely, leading to sudden braking, swerving, and collisions.
Clearing debris can also slow traffic to a crawl. Interstate traffic is often halted entirely so crews can remove dangerous items from the roadway, adding delays and frustration for drivers.
Utah law carries fines between $200-1,000 for unsecured loads, and in severe cases, offenders can face penalties up to a Class A misdemeanor. Officials emphasize that a few minutes spent checking and securing cargo can prevent tragedy — and costly legal consequences.
Randall explained how it is important to use bungee cables, racket straps and rope to secure items to your car.
“We have a blanket that you could wrap over and then a bungee or tie-down strap over top of that,” he said. “So with some loose items like wood, we tied them together so they’re not bouncing around the truck, being able to bounce out. You can use something like a plastic wrap or a cellophane wrap to tie those together so that they’re in one unit.”
DRIVEN TO CHANGE
Have a question for UHP? Share it below and we’ll ask.
Utah
Here’s what Utah football player Lance Holtzclaw told U.S. senators about student-athletes’ pay
If the “Protect College Sports Act” is passed, it would create new rules regarding college athletics.
(Jose Luis Magana | AP) The University of Utah’s Lance Holtzclaw testifies before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Wednesday in Washington, D.C.
SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A new master’s degree just launched at the University of Utah.
The University of Utah’s David Eccles School of Business Master of Science in Financial Technology program is scheduled to start in the fall of 2026.
The program includes curriculum such as AI, data analytics and financial regulation. According to the university, it will put an emphasis on applied learning and offer flexibility for students working in the field.
This comes as researchers say Utah is gaining momentum as a financial technology hub.
“Utah has emerged as a national hub for financial technology, creating demand for talent that understands both finance and technology,” said Kurt Dirks, Dean of the David Eccles School of Business, in a press release. “This program is designed to prepare students to help companies innovate, grow, and thrive by combining technical fluency, financial expertise, and an understanding of the broader business and regulatory environment.”
Utah’s fintech industry includes 67 companies that support around 8,000 jobs. Careers in these fields average a salary of $131,500, doubling the state average.
The new Master of Science in Financial Technology program is in response to growing demand of finance, data, and technology jobs.
The program includes curriculum like AI, data analytics and financial regulation. It offers flexibility for working professionals as well.
For more information about the program, click HERE.
-
Kentucky4 minutes agoKentucky sees improvement in drought conditions
-
Louisiana9 minutes agoLouisiana Tech launches Center for Literacy and Learning to support students, educators
-
Maine17 minutes agoPilots aboard hydrogen balloon are attempting to cross Atlantic Ocean from Maine
-
Maryland19 minutes agoMaryland troopers attend high school graduation of student whose dad died in line of duty
-
Michigan25 minutes agoMichigan football beats out Alabama, Texas for 4-star DB Blake Jenkins
-
Massachusetts32 minutes agoCheers! Mass. House passes proposal to extend bar hours to 3 a.m. during World Cup, putting bill on fast track. – The Boston Globe
-
Minnesota34 minutes agoThe Scoop – June 4
-
Mississippi39 minutes agoMississippi lawmakers talk school consolidation, closures in state
