Two (UPDATE THREE) Water Rescues Sunday as Drivers Ignore EMA Warnings
RESCUE NUMBER THREE
UPDATE: As of 7:35 p.m. Sunday, first responders are on the scene of a third water rescue after another vehicle attempted to cross a water-covered road at Ben Garrison Rd. and Cross Plains Rd. MAP The vehicle, a Dodge Charger, likely a 2012–2015 model, became stranded in knee-deep water. The driver, a man in his 40s, remained inside the car as water reached the bottom of the floorboard but did not enter the cabin. Emergency responders, including the Cross Plains Fire Department, EMS, and Tennessee Highway Patrol, removed him through the window and transported him to safety using a flatbed trailer. A wrecker was called to recover the vehicle, which likely suffered engine failure.
ORLINDA, TENNESSEE: (Smokey Barn News) – Emergency crews rescued a driver stranded in floodwaters in the Orlinda area Sunday afternoon after his vehicle became submerged on Duers Mill Road—one of two water rescues in Robertson County Sunday as drivers ignore EMA warnings to avoid flooded roads.
WATER RESCUE NUMBER ONE
According to Orlinda Fire Chief Patrick Darrow, a driver, in a Chevrolet SUV, attempted to cross a flooded roadway when the vehicle began to float and spun around in the current, and eventually stalled. When first responders arrived, the driver was still in the vehicle with water up to his chest. The Orlinda Fire Department, assisted by EMS, responded to the scene at 3:13 p.m. MAP
“The driver couldn’t open the door, but we were able to get it open and walked him out,” Chief Darrow said.
The flooded roadway had not yet been marked with warning signs, though Darrow noted that county crews arrived later to place signage.
This is not the first time Orlinda firefighters have performed a water rescue in the last 12 months, with Chief Darrow noting this is at least the third time in the past year he has responded to similar incidents.
Officials urge residents not to attempt to cross flooded roadways, even if the water appears shallow. The road underneath may be washed out, and vehicles can quickly become uncontrollable in moving water.
WATER RESCUE NUMBER TWO…
As of 5:30 p.m., another water rescue was underway on Sturgeon Creek Road in the Adams/Cedar Hill area. MAP
In this case, a woman attempted to cross a flooded roadway and became stuck. According to Adams Fire Chief Donovan Tucker, crews first tried to pull the vehicle out with a tow cable but ultimately used manpower to roll the vehicle out to get the driver to safety. Once again, officials stress: Even if it looks safe, don’t do it. READ EMA WARNING HERE
The Adams Fire Department, Robertson County EMS, the Robertson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol, all responded to the scene.
