Hurricane Irene brought a swath of destruction as it made its way up the East Coast this summer, and while the power outages and flooding were certainly some of the biggest stories to come out of the storm, it may have also made a big impact on used cars. According to InsuranceJournal.com, consumers should be wary of flood-damaged cars that are making their way into the market.

Cars damaged by flood water are often much cheaper than vehicles that have not sustained similar damage, but they present a number of issues that make the discounted price not entirely worth it. In addition to costly repairs, the compromised car could also be the cause of a life threatening accident.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that this August (when Irene hit) showed a surprisingly high number of flood-related vehicle claims with 11,789 reports filed. To put that in perspective, there were just 994 claims in August 2010.

According to the news source, there are a number of ways that you can avoid unknowingly purchasing a flood-damaged car. While you're inspecting your prospective purchase you should be sure to be on the lookout for any tell-tale signs of water damage – including stains, mildew, sand and silt. Additionally, rusty screws on the console area can be a dead giveaway.

Perhaps most important of all, however, is turning to a dealer that you can trust. Sellers are supposed to disclose information such as flood damage to ensure that you can make an informed decision.

Consumers need not worry if they head to New Jersey State Auto Auction, all cars, trucks and SUVs are Carfax certified so you know you're getting an accurate history about the vehicle you purchase, many of which are lower than Kelley Blue Book value.