'We've got to have hope' | Search continues for 2 children swept away in Smithfield flash flood

SMITHFIELD, N.C. (WTVD) — The search for two children who were swept away by fast-moving water during a flash flood in Smithfield resumed Wednesday morning.

Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell reiterated the status of the search, telling local media he still believes the children are alive nearly 36 hours after they went missing. Deputies worked 17 hours on Tuesday while searching and have another long day ahead of them.

“It is a search and rescue effort,” Bizzell said. “We still got faith that we can find these kids alive. Some may doubt that. I don’t”

“We are hoping we can find these kids alive. A lot of folks may think that’s way out there in far left field. But we’ve got to have faith. We’ve got to hope and we’ve got to pray.”

WATCH: JOHNSTON COUNTY SHERIFF GIVES UPDATE ON SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION

It happened overnight Monday into Tuesday when heavy downpours blanketed much of central North Carolina.
A mother and her two children were driving down Galilee Road when water caused part of the road to collapse. Their car was then swept away.

According to Smithfield Fire Chief John Blanton, rescue crews arrived and were able to get the mother and one child. However, while they were in a recovery boat headed back to safety, the boat capsized.

WATCH: Marine rescues couple trapped in mangled car during Johnston County storm

Three other recovery boats would capsize before the crews were able to get themselves and the mother to safety. The children have not been seen since.

“The water was so raging the other night, it was throwing the boats up against the trees,” Bizzell said. “We’re fortunate that we had no loss of life for first responders the other night.”
The creek feeds into the Neuse River, which was in a moderate flood stage at 11 a.m. Crews were searching the river as well. Temperatures are expected to get well into the 90s with heat indices into the triple digits, making the search effort more difficult.

Johnston County Sheriff’s Office spent all day Tuesday searching for the missing children. They utilized K-9s, a helicopter, and old fashioned manpower, but the children, ages 4 and 5, remain unaccounted for.

WATCH: Fire Chief Blanton on the efforts to save the missing children