It's great to own a lifted pickup truck. Besides making a striking statement on the road, you'll also enjoy better performance away from the pavement. Do you live in a hurricane-prone region like Florida? If so, there's an off-chance that you can be a hero who rescues people and vehicles from flooded conditions. Read on to find out how a lifted truck can save the day during a hurricane.
How Can a Lifted Truck Be a Lifesaver in a Hurricane?
In a severe hurricane, floodwaters often get inside the mechanical systems of vehicles and render them inoperable. But if you have a lifted pickup truck, your engine and other mechanical parts are more likely to stay out of the reach of floodwaters, thanks to its elevated stance.
If you have a lifted truck with huge tires and several feet of ground clearance, such as a monster truck, you'll be able to wade through deep water. This allows you to travel from one place to another to rescue stranded flood victims and bring supplies to those who need them. You can also pull vehicles to higher ground and save them from flood damage.
Examples of Lifted Truck Drivers Becoming Heroes During a Hurricane
Using a lifted pickup truck to help hurricane victims isn't just a good idea. Some lifted truck owners have done so already during devastating hurricanes that hit the southern part of the United States. Below are two inspiring stories of heroes who drive lifted trucks:
Monster Trucks Performed Rescue Missions in Harvey-Ravaged Houston, Texas
In late August 2017, Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Central Texas as a Category 4 storm, resulting in historic flooding in the Houston area. Houston resident Josh James, a 26-year-old mechanic at George Bush Intercontinental Airport, enlisted the help of his friends at a Dallas-based dirt racetrack to form a fleet of five monster trucks and conduct rescue missions. These lifted trucks had a maximum ground clearance of 10 feet, enabling them to move easily through the floodwaters.
With the help of another friend and auto service company, 3P Offroad, James helped coordinate a rescue team comprising more than 300 trucks, 200 boats, and 600 personnel. The group started answering calls for assistance a day after the hurricane hit Texas. Using their monster trucks, they rescued victims stranded in homes and apartment complexes. They even transported first responders to flood-ravaged areas that their vehicles couldn't reach, carrying paramedics and firefighters to those in need.
Hurricane Harvey caused heartbreaking losses throughout Texas. It's estimated that the hurricane damaged or destroyed about 180,000 homes. Still, James said he felt inspired when he saw how the local community pulled together and helped each other out in the face of a horrific disaster.
Lifted Trucks Used To Help Floridian Homeowners Secure Their Roofs During Hurricane Ian
In September 2022, Hurricane Ian devastated millions of people in Florida. The Category 4 hurricane was the most lethal of its kind to hit the state since 1935, taking more than 160 lives. It also caused damage amounting to over $100 billion.
In preparation for the hurricane, Chase Massey and Zachary Buchanan, co-founders of Massey Roofing Services, spent a large sum of money on tarps and other supplies so that they could help people secure their roofs until the storm passed. When the hurricane finally came, their team drove their lifted trucks through 4 to 5 feet of water to reach homeowners who needed help.
For a month, the hurricane heroes worked 12 hours a day nonstop, spending a lot of time outdoors despite government and weather warnings. According to Massey, there were times when they had to carry a 200-pound tarp up a ladder in strong winds blowing at 60 to 70 mph.
Hurricane Ian ripped off and damaged many homeowners' roofs and even blew away the tarps the roofers had installed. Still, the team didn't give up and continued to do everything they could for everybody who called to ask for help.
How To Prepare Your Lifted Truck for a Hurricane
Are you considering driving your lifted truck to help people during a hurricane? Either way, you'll want to ensure it will make it through the disaster with minimal damage. Here are a few things you can do to prepare your pickup truck and yourself for a hurricane:
- Document your truck's condition: Take pictures of your lifted truck's exterior and interior before the hurricane. If your vehicle gets damaged during the storm, you can use the photos to prove its condition when making an insurance claim.
- Protect your car keys and documents: Store the photos of your truck, car registration, insurance information, and any other essential documents in a safe place, such as a fireproof and waterproof box.
- Fill up your truck's gas tank: When preparing for a hurricane, don't forget to fill up your truck with a full tank of gas. In the event that you need to evacuate the area, you can go straight to your destination without having to stop at the gas station.
- Top off your fluids: Replenishing your truck's fluids and giving it a maintenance tuneup ensures that it will be in prime condition for evacuation.
- Park smart: If you plan to ride out the hurricane, it's best to park your lifted truck in an enclosed garage. If you don't have a garage, avoid parking under trees and power lines, which can severely damage your vehicle if they fall during the storm.
Get Your Dream Lifted Truck at Gibson Truck World
Are you searching for a good lifted pickup truck in Sanford, Florida? If so, look no further than Gibson Truck World. Over the years, our dealership has been the go-to place for Sanford drivers looking for top-quality used lifted trucks that can last a long time. We offer an extensive pre-owned truck inventory, competitive prices, and exceptional customer service. So we guarantee that you'll enjoy an unparalleled truck shopping experience with us. Browse our inventory now and contact us to schedule a test drive.
Brian's Truck - Ford F250 9-7-11 015 by DiamondBack Covers is licensed with CC BY-SA 2.0