Summer is nearly here and you know what that means. Hurricane season. While Florida usually gets the brunt of the storms, there are good chances that those strong residual winds, rains, and other terrifying weather will affect the Columbia area as well. And when that happens, it’s crucial to protect your Honda from the damage these strong storms can cause.
Storms can cause a lot of damage, especially if you’re unprepared. Falling trees or limbs, hail, debris blown around by the strong winds, and all of this and more can pose significant risks to a car sitting out on the street unprotected. And there’s nothing worse than waking up after a crazy storm to see your car dented or windows cracked or broken as a result. While your favorite local Honda experts at Midlands Honda are here to help repair any damage, we’d rather you avoid that situation completely. So here are some things you can do to keep your Honda out of harm's way!
Strong storms like hurricanes or even severe thunderstorms can produce some crazy weather conditions. These can include hail the size of quarters or larger that can fall at speeds faster than 100 miles per hour, fast and strong winds sometimes reaching speeds of 74 miles per hour, and incredible amounts of heavy rain averaging around 16 inches, all resulting in flooding from storm surges, personal and property damage, and more. If you’ve left your car out on the road in the middle of a hurricane, tropical storm, or even a severe thunderstorm, there’s a good chance that your car will be on the receiving end of some crazy damage from trees, debris, water, and a lot more. We’re here to help give you some tips on how to protect your car in the event of severe weather events and future-proof yourself a bit in the process.
Protecting your car from any potential damage is definitely the first thing you should be thinking about. There are a handful of things you can do to prep your car from the barrage of wind, rain, and more that is bound to come during any severe weather event.
The number one thing you want to do is secure any and all documents as well as personal items. This can include your insurance cards, registration, and any other important papers you may be keeping in your glove box. In the event of flooding, you definitely don’t want any of those papers to receive any severe water damage. Once you’ve got all you wanted to out of your car, you can begin adding layers of protection. Placing foam against the windows secured with duct tape will support your windows during intense winds. Setting your parking brake gives your car something to brace against in the event of flooding and winds. And of course, covering your car with a heavy blanket paired with a tarp will help protect against falling debris or hail. Filling your gas tank is a really good way to give yourself an out if you suddenly need to move your car or evacuate from your house or apartment. All of this, as well as anything else you come up with, will be great ways to protect your car the best you can from damage during a storm.
Knowing where to park your car during a storm can give you a huge advantage and help you avoid serious damage. It should come as no surprise that parking under a tree or next to the water is probably not the greatest idea during an intense storm. You want a place that does more to protect your car and avoid anything that may easily break off and land on said car. Places like covered parking garages are very ideal, as they provide not only nearly complete coverage on all sides but often place your car at a higher elevation which can protect your car from flooding. You definitely want to avoid basement or low-level parking areas, as those will be the first places to flood during heavy rainfall. However, any enclosed parking space will be more ideal than an open-air parking lot, so if you have a parking garage best make use of it. And even if you’re car is protected on all sides, it’s still a good idea to implement all of the layers of protection. More protection is always a good idea.
Before any serious storm, if you’re expecting the chance that your car may be damaged, it may be a good idea to take pictures of the condition of your car BEFORE the storm. Most car insurance does provide a level of natural disaster coverage. However, insurance also typically will look for any reason not to pay out that coverage. If you take pictures of the condition of your car before the storm, you have a solid baseline to compare any damage that may have taken place during the storm. And photo evidence is irrefutable in most cases.
Obviously, it’s not a great idea to head out on the road in the middle of a hurricane or other severe weather event. However, some situations are unavoidable, like having to evacuate from your home or apartment building or driving back home and you get stuck in a storm. So if you’re going to be driving in the middle of one of the worst situations possible, be smart about it.
The number one thing to avoid is any flooded roads or washed-out bridges. Even if you have a decent off-road vehicle that’s prepared for situations like that, you likely don’t have the necessary training or experience to come out of that unscathed. Find a new route that takes a higher road. Another road hazard to watch for is fallen objects or downed power lines. Storms can bring down a whole manner of branches, whole trees, telephone poles, and power lines that can pose a great risk to you on the road. Don’t take the risk of trying to move the branch and definitely don’t touch downed power lines as they are likely still live and extremely dangerous. Stay in your car and find a way around or a completely new route.
The way you drive will also change depending on the situation. During low visibility and high winds and rain, it’s best to slow down as much as you can. Driving slow allows you to have more time to respond to stalled vehicles or road hazards, while also giving you more control against strong winds.
Hurricanes, tropical storms, and other forms of severe weather are no joke. They’ve accounted for billions of dollars of damage and countless deaths over the years and we don’t want you to fall victim to the increasing danger these severe weather events bring with them. While these tips are not a guarantee that you’ll avoid any and all danger or damage by any means, they are certainly a good start to protecting yourself and your property. If your Honda does get damaged, you can give your favorite Honda experts at Midlands Honda a call and we'll fix you right up in no time. To learn more, visit https://www.ready.gov/hurricanes and stay safe out there! Remember, a car is replaceable, you are not.
Black is beautiful. Black is powerful. Black is now! These sentiments and more are just a taste of what was featured at this year’s Black Expo South in Columbia, SC. The Columbia Black Expo was created to promote and give exposure to minority-owned businesses, as well as educate, enlighten, and inspire the entire community, as well as the African American community of Columbia and South Carolina. The Black Expo extends well past Columbia, appearing in three other areas including Charleston, Upstate, and Jacksonville, Florida, all offering the same level of commitment and dedication to the black communities.
Each Black Expo celebrates black success with vendors, speakers, guest appearances, networking, and so much more. The 23rd annual Charleston Black Expo on March 12th featured guest appearances from Anthony Anderson, Kierra Sheard, Shelton Richards, and Roi Chip Anthony. During the Columbia Black Expo that happened on May 21st, attendees also got to enjoy the same guest appearances. The event featured a Sneaker Expo where enthusiasts, collectors, and anyone could buy, sell, or trade exclusive and rare shoes. Attendees were offered the opportunity to volunteer in a blood drive, enjoy incredible food, and network with a job fair with companies including Dominion Energy, MUSC, Breakthru Beverage, and many others. However, there was also a special presentation of the Key to the City by Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and Councilman Ed McDowell to founder and president of the Thomas Media Group (Black Expo South and SC Black Pages) Darrin Todd Thomas in honor of Columbia Black Expo’s 25th Anniversary!
Preceding the Columbia Black Expo on Friday was the Taste of Black Columbia, which saw over 970 people. The Taste of Black Columbia was an event to showcase the culinary skills from some of the best local chefs, caterers, and restaurants the midlands have to offer. The Taste beverage sponsor Breakthru Beverage provided the spirits and libations throughout the evening. The sensational neo-soul singer/songwriter Leela James performed to a standing room only crowd to bring the event to a close.
Here at Midlands Honda, we are extremely proud to be sponsors of the 25th anniversary of the Columbia Black Expo. If you’re interested in learning more, or would like to attend the upcoming Florida Black Expo on September 22-24th, you can find all of their information here! When one of us succeeds, we all succeed!
We stand together against hate! Once again, Midlands Honda is proud to be a sponsor and show support for the South Carolina Juneteenth Freedom Festival in Columbia. Juneteenth, also known as Juneteenth Independence Day or Freedom Day, celebrates enslaved African Americans' emancipation throughout America. This is a day of celebration of the progress and education we’ve attained as we strive towards a world united.
Join us on June 18th for a 2-day event featuring fun and excitement for the entire family, with carnival rides, games, local food trucks, and various vendors. Enjoy live musical performances from national recording artists including The Whispers, Vivian Green, Nappy Roots, Rob Base, and Dondria. You’ll also be able to shop at many Black and Minority-owned businesses, check out a job fair, and stay safe with a COVID-19 testing and vaccination center.
While the main event runs for two days, the fun begins well before the 18th. For the first time, the South Carolina Juneteenth Festival will be a full 9 day event. June 13th kicks off Juneteenth at Segra Baseball Park with seminars covering everything from buying a home to financial literacy throughout the week. On the 16th, there will be a meet and greet with the SC JFF team, with a Juneteenth Gala Noir and Awards happening on Friday the 17th. The whole event will close with a Freedom Fest parade downtown on Monday the 20th.
The South Carolina Juneteenth Freedom Fest has become a staple of the Columbia and Richland community, with an economic impact of over $700,000 since its inception in 2017. It has highlighted over 200 Black and Minority businesses over the past 5 years and shows no signs of stopping!
Midlands Honda is excited to participate in this celebration and we encourage all to attend! Last year, the event saw 20,000 attendees and we’re expecting even more this year! Buy your tickets right here and we will see you at the Charlie W Johnson Stadium at Benedict College in Columbia on June 18th and 19th! Don’t forget to stop by our space and say “Hi!” to your favorite Columbia area Honda dealer and see some of our best models as well!