. >> reporter: tow truck driver steve simonson pulled one of the cars out of the water, a vehicle that is likely totaled. in that case, is that car stuck because of the water or because it won't start? >> yeah, the engine fills up with water, the ignition gets wet and it won't go anywhere. >> reporter: drivers found themselves suddenly in high water. a phenomenon that hasn't happened in the bay area in a long time. that lack of experience showed in the way people drove, according to a chp officer. >> we kind of miss the obvious signs. most of our streets and most of the freeways have no raised curb and when there's water on the roadway exceeding the curb you know it's kind of deep. >> reporter: abc 7 news was there when several cars tried to navigate a flooded roadway, some of them not making it to the other side. tonight on abc 7 news at 6:00, we talked with a car mechanic who explained what happens when a car engine spends too much time in water and it's not good. laura anthony, abc 7 news. >>> we certainly have seen a lot of rain in the past couple of days. as you know, a lot of com