Flooding through the AC

I have an Audi Allroad 03. During a recent rain storm I went to start the car to discover 6 inches of water in the back seat. The electrical system had been fried. When I contatced Audi they said that it was not a warranty issue that it was my fault. That a line under the battery compartment had been cloged by pine needles causing the water to flow into the car through the Airconditioning system.
It seems to me that this is a design flaw and should be covered by Audi. My Father has the same Audi in Connecticut and his dealer said absolutely they would have covered the issue how could I be expected to remove the batter and clean the tube.

Audi North American and My dealer want nothing to do with the issue.

I wanted to see if anyone else had had similar problems and if Audi had willingly covered the issue or not. As well as warn New Englanders to make sure they have the tube under the battery cleaned so they do not experience the pond in the back seat.