Hurricane Sandy potentially damaged 250,000 vehicles. (Photo By Flickr user Pam_Andrade)

By Paul Morello

BLOOMINGTON - Secretary of State Jesse White is warning potential buyers about used cars with flood damage from Hurricane Sandy.

White told WJBC on Friday reports indicate there were 250,000 cars damaged by the storm's flood waters.

"We will inspect the titles, to see whether or not the automobile was in Connecticut, New Jersey or New York, and then there's further scrutiny by asking the individual whether the car came from that area," he said.

White said there's not much recourse for someone who has already bought a flood-damaged car, which is why he's trying to be proactive.

"You can buy the car if it's come from a flood area, but of course the value would be a lot less and they'd have to notify you of that. But when they try to sell it to you without letting you know it's come from a flood area, that's against the law," White said.

White said by comparison, 325,000 cars were affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Paul Morello can be reached at paul@wjbc.com.