15,000 Hurricane Sandy-damaged cars stored for auction at New York airpark
Insurance Auto Auctions has parked 15,000 flood-damaged vehicles at Calverton Executive Airpark in Riverhead, New York, with many set to be scrapped, parted out or auctioned over the coming months.
Insurance Auto Auctions has moved around 15,000 vehicles damaged by Hurricane Sandy to Calverton Executive Airpark in Riverhead, New York, where they are being stored ahead of scrapping, dismantling or sale at auction. The cars, parked on the airpark’s runways and taxiways, represent a fraction of the estimated 230,000 vehicles affected by the storm across the region.
The scale of the operation is visible from the air, with thousands of vehicles lined up on the former Grumman Corporation site, once used for assembling F-14 Tomcat fighters. Insurance Auto Auctions pays the town of Riverhead $3,200 per acre each month for the use of the paved runways and taxiways. The cars are expected to remain on site for six to twelve months while insurance claims are processed and decisions made about their fate.
Environmental concerns and management
Local environmental groups have raised concerns about the risk of oil, fuel and chemical leaks from the damaged vehicles, which could reach the groundwater if not properly contained. In response, Insurance Auto Auctions stated it follows strict procedures to maintain the areas it occupies. The town’s supervisor, Sean Walter, confirmed that the cars are parked only on paved surfaces and that a team of around 100 workers inspects the vehicles daily for leaks and spills.
Flooding, especially with saltwater, can cause extensive and often hidden damage to modern vehicles, affecting electronic control units, braking systems, and heating or air-conditioning components. As a result, New York state law requires that any car written off due to flooding must have its title stamped as such, alerting future buyers to the risks of electrical faults and corrosion. This regulation aims to prevent flood-damaged cars from being resold without disclosure.
Auction, parts and scrappage outcomes
While some of the vehicles stored at Calverton will be auctioned to buyers willing to repair or salvage them, many are destined for dismantling or scrappage. Insurance Auto Auctions will handle the process, with the final destination of each car depending on the extent of its damage and the outcome of insurance assessments. The sheer volume of vehicles has also generated revenue for the town, which benefits from the monthly rental income during the lengthy claims and disposal process.
- Around 230,000 vehicles damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, according to insurance industry estimates
- Many stored in vacant lots across the region pending claims and disposal
- Flood-damaged vehicles can be a source of parts but carry risks if resold without proper disclosure
The Calverton storage site is just one example of the logistical challenges faced by insurers and local authorities in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. With tens of thousands of cars awaiting their fate, the process of sorting, scrapping and auctioning is likely to continue for much of the coming year.
