'Toyota Guys:' 4Runner Pulls Wake Boarder in Hurricane Floodwaters. Then People Spot This Surprising Risk

"Help us find this wild 4Runner owner and tag them."

Photo by: Kyle Grozelle & Wes Warren

By: Stacy Fernandez

Nov 4, 2025 at 8:00am ET

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When floodwaters rise, most people seek safety. But one Toyota 4Runner owner saw an opportunity for an impromptu water sports session.

While the stunt looked like harmless fun, there are dangers the driver and their friend might not have considered.

Hurricane Wakeboarding Session

In a viral video posted by Facebook page 4Runner Lifestyle, they show a red Toyota SUV driving through what appears to be deep floodwater following a hurricane.

"Hurricane happens... Toyota guys," the text overlay reads.

The footage reveals someone holding a long yellow strap attached to the back of the 4Runner while riding what looks like a surfboard. As the SUV drives through the flooded area, the person gets pulled along, essentially wake boarding through the hurricane floodwaters.

"Help us find this wild 4Runner owner and tag them," the caption urges.

While the video showcases the 4Runner's off-road capabilities and fording ability, the stunt raises serious safety concerns for the adventurer and the car.

Dangers Lurking Beneath the Surface

Floodwaters pose far more serious risks than many people realize. Floodwater may contain hazardous waste like bleach, antifreeze, cleaning solutions, medical waste, bodily fluids, and wastewater, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reports. When heavy rainfall hits an area experiencing drought, pollutants (like pesticides, car fluids, and fertilizers) that have accumulated on the ground are flushed in high concentrations into the water.

"Any type of floodwater that has sewage in it is extremely pathogenic," said Natalie Exum, assistant professor in Environmental Health and Engineering at Johns Hopkins. "The most immediate risk is gastrointestinal." After a flood, areas with heavy flooding see more acute gastrointestinal illness-related emergency room visits.

Johns Hopkins also warns about injury from dangerous objects—lumber, vehicles, and debris like glass can get swept up by rushing waters. Wild or stray animals can be carried along by floodwater and may bite if alive or present disease risk if dead, and downed power lines can pose an electrocution risk.

Gallery: 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Review

Source: Brian Silvestro / Motor1

How Floodwaters Can Destroy Your Vehicle

The 4Runner in the video may look like it's handling the water well, but driving through floodwaters can cause catastrophic damage to any vehicle.

AAA reports that floodwater can infiltrate the engine, transmission, and drivetrain, leading to costly repairs, plus electrical systems, including dashboard controls, airbags, and antilock brakes, may fail. Also, prolonged water exposure can corrode important car parts such as wiring, door mechanisms, and fasteners.

Even if the car appears functional afterward, water damage can lead to long-term issues. AAA notes that persistent electrical faults, mold growth, and a lingering musty odor are common problems. The contaminated water doesn't just affect mechanical systems, it can also damage the interior, creating health hazards from mold and bacteria growth in carpets, seats, and ventilation systems.

Consumer Reports warns that floodwater can destroy a car's engine and wreak havoc on electronics. In many cases, vehicles that have been through floodwaters are considered totaled by insurance companies due to the extent of the damage. What might seem like a fun moment for social media could result in thousands of dollars in repairs, or a totalled vehicle.

Shock, Awe, and Words of Caution

People were widely amused by the clip.

“Who needs a speedboat when you have a 4Runner," one wrote.

“What the Florida??" a second joked.

“Three years from now it will be on a CarMax lot," jested a third.

A few did warn against driving through floodwaters, let alone wakeboarding through them.

“Jokes on you; that’s dookie water," one said.

What do you think?

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Motor1 reached out to 4Runner Lifestyle for comment via Instagram direct message and Facebook comment. We’ll update this if they respond.

Update Nov. 5: In an email, CarMax told Motor1, "CarMax does not sell vehicles with flood or frame damage. Cars that do not meet CarMax standards are sold at auction and not to customers."