TAMPA — Electric vehicle owners should start preparing for the extra rain likely with Hurricane Milton.

Floodwaters can be dangerous to lithium ion batteries in electric vehicles. And it can become explosive if they come into contact with salt water.

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis says it caused many fires during Helene.

"What we saw with Hurricane Helene was an expansion of fires that were EV related," Patronis said. "I'm sorry, lithium ion batteries and saltwater do not mix."

Meanwhile, the City of Tampa is opening up its city parking garages, for free. It's for all vehicles and available to residents in a low-lying area who want to protect their car.

The garages will be open until at least 5 p.m. Thursday.

Drivers must be park on the third level or higher.

In St. Petersburg, the city will be offering free parking at the South Core parking garage (101 1st Ave. S) on a space-available basis for those who need to elevate their vehicles in advance of the storm. The entrance is accessible from 1st Ave. S between 1st and 2nd Streets.

The garage will allow free entry beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, and stay open until full or 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8, whichever comes first. In order to park for free, vehicles will need to be retrieved by noon, Saturday, Oct. 12.

After Hurricane Helene, Pinellas County shared this video showing what can happen with an electric vehicle when it is in flood waters: