- ‘We had about a 70-80% crop lost’ | York County apple orchards feeling the aftermath of April’s hail storm
- Governor Cooper joins Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg in Western NC to survey storm damage
- NC hospitals innovate with Gatorade, Pedialyte amid IV fluid shortage post-Hurricane Helene
- Austin and Travis County issue disaster declaration as dry conditions increase wildfire risks
- UNC system institutions waiving application fees for western NC students in hurricane-affected counties
Water rescues, cars submerged, truck stuck in sinkhole: Storms cause flooding in Triangle
The Durham Police responded to a crash on Monday afternoon that resulted in a vehicle being submerged in water.
At around 3:30 p.m., officers arrived at the scene of a vehicle crash in the 4000 block of Durham Chapel Hill Boulevard, where at least one vehicle was found submerged in water.
The Durham Fire Department and EMS were also on the scene and were able to rescue the driver from the vehicle.
No serious injuries were reported at this time.
WRAL News also received a photo of a car submerged in water at Old Chapel Hill Road and Garrett Road, minutes from the crash.
Flooding causes several issues in Durham
A viewer submitted a photo showing cars underwater near an ABC store in Durham.
Truck stuck in Durham sinkhole along Chapel Hill Boulevard
A truck got stuck in a sinkhole on Monday afternoon along Highway 15-501 in Durham due to heavy flooding caused by fast-moving storms. Tow trucks were called to remove the truck.
A person who helped rescue the two people inside the truck told WRAL News that the quick-moving storms caused a lot of flash flooding.
The driver of the truck was trying to leave the area when poor visibility and a massive hole in the roadway caused the truck to end up in the sinkhole.
“We feel like heroes. It’s a good brothership, brotherhood and we all take care of each other, look out for each other, make sure everybody’s being safe and we want to free up these roads as quick as possible,” Palmer Richardson, Clayton’s Wrecker Service said. “Everybody be on their way home. nice and safe. We feel like heroes out here.”
The witness, whose lifeguard instincts kicked in, helped rescue the two people inside.
Another car was also reported to be stuck, but the driver was not injured.
Durham County deputy, bystanders rescue driver stuck in water
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office said a bystander alerted a deputy working an off-duty assignment Monday at South Square Shopping Center in Durham about a driver in distress.
Deputy P. Clark saw a white SUV under the overpass on Durham Chapel Hill Service Road near the shopping center, according to the sheriff’s office.
A driver was trapped inside due to rising water from flashing flooding, the sheriff’s office said.
The sheriff’s office said Clark waded into the water and tried to get into the car. Then, a second bystander offered to help. The sheriff’s office said the two broke the glass on the car and opened the door.
As the water continued to rise, the sheriff’s office said the deputy dove into the car and pushed the driver to the surface. The man who stopped to help then helped the deputy to the surface.
There were no injures.
The driver said he misjudged the depth of water and got stuck. He was unable to open the door, the sheriff’s office said.
Safety tips: Turn around, don’t drown
For any drivers, it’s crucial to avoid driving through flash-flooded areas, whether you’re in Raleigh, Durham or Fayetteville. Try to avoid driving through rough waters.
The Durham County Sheriff’s Office reminded drivers when they encounter water on the roadway, do not try to drive through it.