CLEARWATER, Fla. — Flood waters rose quickly at the Genesis Apartments in Clearwater, leaving countless residents with damaged apartments and ruined cars.

Helping his neighbors move their cars, Cesar Sanchez is one of the many who got caught in the flooding.

“Change the oil. The oil has water, and the battery is dead,” he said. “The water goes in the motor and you have a situation for the spark plugs, for the ignition. So now, is very bad.” 

Cesar said he was home when Milton tore through the area and saw the water rise until to covered most of his car.

By the time the water was rising, there was nothing he could do.

“When I see the lights go off, the flashing, too much water on the inside with the light on… I say, eh, maybe another car,” he said.  

Now working to repair his car for two days, Cesar is frustrated by the situation but said what’s most important is that his family made it through the hurricane unscathed.

Still, he worries about many of his neighbors that have lost more than just a car.

The work continues, and with a little more effort, Cesar is hopeful his car will be run again like its brand new.