When floods, hurricanes, and severe weather strike, first responders need equipment that can keep moving when conventional emergency vehicles can’t. Roads become waterways, access routes disappear, and every minute counts when lives are on the line.
The base model Lenco BearCat G3 is already engineered to handle challenging terrain and water crossings, capable of traversing approximately 24 inches of water in its standard configuration. For agencies that regularly respond to flooding, hurricane recovery, and other high-water emergencies, Lenco offers an optional High-Water Fording Package that increases the BearCat’s water fording capability to 40+ inches, helping crews safely reach people and places when conditions become even more extreme.
What Is the High-Water Fording Package?
The High-Water Fording Package is a collection of specialized upgrades designed to improve the BearCat’s ability to operate in flooded environments while helping protect critical vehicle systems during deep-water operations.
Key features include:
Engine Snorkel System: Raises the engine air intake above the waterline, allowing the engine to continue receiving clean air during deep-water crossings.
Rerouted Exhaust System: Helps prevent engine stall by reducing the risk of water entering the exhaust during high-water operations.
Revalved Axles: Protects the drivetrain and differentials after submersion, helping reduce the potential for permanent mechanical damage.
Upgraded Off-Road Components: Heavy-duty suspension, off-road tires, reinforced wheels, and run-flat tires work together to improve traction, stability, and mobility in flooded terrain and other off-road conditions.
Standard Roof Hatch: During rescue operations, the BearCat’s standard roof hatch provides an additional emergency access point for bringing evacuees aboard if floodwaters rise above the side door openings.
Together, these features allow the BearCat to confidently navigate deeper water while supporting rescue operations in challenging flood conditions.
Take a Closer Look at the High-Water Rescue BearCat X3
To get a closer look at the High-Water Fording Package, watch the video below from FDIC International, where Lenco U.S. Sales Manager Jim Massery walks around a BearCat X3 configured for high-water rescue. Jim highlights the specialized upgrades that help agencies operate in flooded environments and explains how each feature contributes to the vehicle’s overall capability.
Built for the Mission
The High-Water Fording Package pairs seamlessly with mission-specific BearCat variants, including the MedCat, creating a vehicle capable of reaching patients in flooded or otherwise inaccessible areas while providing a protected environment for medical response and transport. It’s just one example of how Lenco helps agencies tailor their vehicles to the unique demands of their mission.
Whether supporting flood rescue, hurricane response, disaster recovery, EMS, or technical rescue operations, Lenco works closely with agencies to configure each BearCat for the environments they serve.
Equip Your BearCat for the Unexpected
When disaster strikes, mobility can make all the difference. If your agency regularly responds to floods, hurricanes, or other natural disasters, contact Lenco Armored Vehicles to learn how the High-Water Fording Package and other mission-specific BearCat configurations can help prepare your team for whatever comes next.