Florida Man Dies From Smoke After Golf Cart Battery Fire in Milton Flooding

The death toll from Hurricane Milton has risen to at least 25, including an elderly man who died from smoke inhalation after a golf cart battery exploded when submerged by rising floodwaters.

Local newspapers reported that the man in Charlotte County, near Fort Myers on Florida’s southwest coast, was airlifted to a hospital after Milton’s storm surge hit the area, but he later died. Authorities reported a similar death in Hurricane Helene two weeks earlier, The Palm Beach Post reported.

Florida’s chief financial officer, whose office oversees insurance and financial regulations, is also the state fire marshal. He has warned repeatedly about the dangers of lithium-ion batteries, used in electric and hybrid vehicles and in power tools.

“Following the devastating impacts from Hurricane Helene last week, the Division of State Fire Marshal has confirmed more than a dozen reports of EVs, hybrids or other lithium-ion battery powered vehicles or devices causing fire hazards in areas impacted by this storm,” CFO Patronis said in a statement early this month.

The office hosted a demonstration last month of the dangers of lithium batteries when they are flooded. The batteries can explode if the case or seal is breached by water.

Saltwater storm surge, in particular, makes electric vehicles a fire threat, Patronis said. Owners were urged to move vehicles before storms to higher ground and away from areas that could flood.

The battery fires have resulted in insurance claims. Paresh Patel, CEO of HCI Group, said the group’s insurance companies have seen a number of claims due to fires sparked by electric bikes and vehicles that were flooded in Hurricane Helene.

Photo: A car-battery fire demonstration at the Florida Fire College in Ocala in September. (Florida CFO’s Office)