Current:Home > Scams80-year-old man dies trying to drive through flooded North Carolina road-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
80-year-old man dies trying to drive through flooded North Carolina road
View Date:2024-12-23 15:49:35
An 80-year-old man died trying to drive through a flooded North Carolina road on Tuesday as the state dealt with a historic rainfall event, according to highway officials.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol received a call about a submerged vehicle after Richard Walton Robinson drove a blue Subaru Crosstrek SUV around stationary Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office vehicles and into high water on NC 211, the highway patrol said in a release.
Officials said the sheriff’s office vehicles were stopped in the road with blue lights on because of flood waters at the Lockwood Folly River Bridge. The road was impassable, authorities said.
The incident happened around 12:17 a.m. in Brunswick County, about 34 miles southwest of Wilmington, the highway patrol said in a news release.
When Robinson drove around the sheriff’s office vehicles, his SUV became fully submerged. A water rescue team showed up and tried to find his vehicle to no avail.
The next day, first responders went back to find the SUV. The Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team found the vehicle with Robinson deceased inside.
Authorities said neither alcohol or speed were factors in the accident. The investigation is ongoing.
The incident came as historic rainfall and "life-threatening" flash flooding hit the North Carolina coast earlier this week. Some coastal towns received more than a foot of rain in the first 12 hours of Monday, the type of deluge that happens once every 200 years on average, according to the National Weather Service's office in Wilmington.
A once-in-200-years event:NC towns get a foot of rain in 12 hours
What to do if you're out and about during a flood
According to Ready NC, floods are one of the most common dangers in the United States. They can happen at any time of the year nearly anywhere in North Carolina.
Floods are typically caused by excess amounts of rain, hurricanes or dam failures.
"Anywhere it rains, it can flood," the agency wrote on its website.
"Flooding is dangerous whether you are in your home, driving or on foot," according to the agency. "Just a few inches of water can knock you off your feet or sweep your car away. Never drive through flooded roadways. Stay away from swollen streams and rivers."
Tips the agency listed include:
- Avoid driving into flooded areas.
- If floodwaters rise around your car, leave the car and move to higher ground if possible.
- Do not camp or park your vehicle along streams, rivers or creeks.
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Follow her on Twitter at@SaleenMartin or email her at[email protected].
veryGood! (71441)
Related
- 12 college students charged with hate crimes after assault in Maryland
- Sophia Loren recovering from surgery after fall led to fractured leg, broken bones
- Video shows California deputy slamming 16-year-old girl to the ground outside football game
- 9/11-related illnesses have now killed same number of FDNY firefighters as day of attacks: An ongoing tragedy
- Prosecutor failed to show that Musk’s $1M-a-day sweepstakes was an illegal lottery, judge says
- AP PHOTOS: Bavarian hammersmith forges wrought-iron pans at a mill more than 500 years old
- Connecticut health commissioner fired during COVID settles with state, dismissal now a resignation
- Hells Angels club members, supporters indicted in 'vicious' hate crime attack in San Diego
- New Mexico secretary of state says she’s experiencing harassment after the election
- Stock market today: Asian shares dip with eyes on the Chinese economy and a possible US shutdown
Ranking
- A pair of Trump officials have defended family separation and ramped-up deportations
- Pakistani raid on a militant hideout near Afghanistan leaves 3 militants dead, the military says
- Ohio State moves up, Washington leads Pac-12 contingent in top 10 of NCAA Re-Rank 1-133
- McDaniels says he has confidence in offense, despite opting for FG late in game
- 'Heretic' spoilers! Hugh Grant spills on his horror villain's fears and fate
- WGA Reached A Tentative Deal With Studios. But The Strike Isn't Over Yet
- Who cares if Taylor Swift is dating NFL star Travis Kelce? After Sunday's game, everyone.
- At least 20 dead in gas station explosion as Nagorno-Karabakh residents flee to Armenia
Recommendation
-
Round 2 in the Trump-vs-Mexico matchup looks ominous for Mexico
-
To TikTok or not to TikTok? One GOP candidate joins the app even as he calls it ‘digital fentanyl’
-
Wisconsin state Senate’s chief clerk resigns following undisclosed allegation
-
Column: Ryder Cup is in America’s head. But it’s in Europe’s blood
-
A list of mass killings in the United States this year
-
Colombian club president shot dead after match
-
At least 20 dead in gas station explosion as Nagorno-Karabakh residents flee to Armenia
-
How you can stay safe during sudden, severe turbulence