Q: Car wI'll not start

I was stuck in a flood out in South San Francisco. The water came to Tire level. As soon as the car Touch the Water everything turned off. We did not try to start it right away as they said that that would be a bad idea. We waited overnight try to get a jump and then start it and it still would not turn over. I was wondering if it is possibly the starter as that is what I've been hearing? When the battery was not dead I had full power to the car such as lights radio etc. However we did find that the air filter was wet when we took it out but there was no water in the engine oil or anything. Do you know what this could be? And how to fix it? Please let me know thank you
My car has an automatic transmission.