Light water damage -- car really unsalvageable?

Maybe the battery just died? Have you tried jump starting it? Does your headlights turn on brightly?

 

Check 12V to be at least 12.5 V . What you mean dead no lights on dash at all ? Push button twice no brake all should lite up? Is the red security car flashing ?

 

That car isn't very broke

 

In simple economic terms, the estimated cost of the repair closely approaches or even exceeds the value of the car.

He might be wrong- but to read between the lines, he's telling you he doesn't want to do this work. Find another mechanic.

I've known some trustworthy mechanics who helped to maintain their reputational status by turning down repairs with low success rates, high "comeback" rates or just required a lot of hours billed for minimal customer satisfaction.

 

chasing electrical problems in a prius from flooding can anger customers who don't understand the nature of the beast.

if you want to go down the rabbit hole, get an old windows laptop, get a copy of tech stream up and running, and start the trouble shooting process by scanning the codes.
then rent the service manual by the day, and start following the trouble shooting tree.
all the best!

 

Until you can clearly articulate the actual water level the car was exposed to both us and our mechanic have zero ability to tell you how damaged it is. The water level could be accurately indicated by the flood marks on the wheels.

In the meantime, I'm with Tombuk2 on this... Your pictures so zero indication of water anywhere and even if there were minor puddles inside the car the hyrbid equipment is higher up than that.

I bet you haven't put a charge on your 12v battery in a long time and then you left the car doors open for a while when trying to dry it out and now your 12v battery is drained down.