Evansville, Ind. – A Spencer County water rescue crew is emphasizing the importance of heeding road closures and avoiding flooded roads after conducting two rescues from the same location in less than five hours.
On Tuesday morning, the Luce Fire Water Rescue team was dispatched to Bullocktown Road just after 8:30 a.m., where a vehicle had become stranded in at least three feet of standing water. Crews used a hovercraft to safely extract the driver from the frigid floodwaters. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the incident served as a stark reminder of the dangers of driving through flooded areas.
In a Facebook post, officials with the Luce Fire Water Rescue team warned drivers of the risks posed by standing water. They highlighted that, in addition to putting motorists’ lives in danger, it also puts rescue teams in harm’s way. “Not only does it put your life in danger, but it also puts our crews in a situation that is not ideal for their safety,” the post read.
Just hours later, at approximately 12:15 p.m., the same crew was called back to the same stretch of road for another rescue. This time, another vehicle had become stuck in the same flooded area. Crews once again used their hovercraft to reach the vehicle, safely rescuing the occupant and bringing them to dry ground.
Officials have since placed a “Road Closed/High Water” sign at the location, urging motorists to avoid the area. Despite the warning, the repeated rescues highlight the need for drivers to exercise caution during heavy rainfall or flooding.
The Luce Fire Water Rescue team’s swift response is a reminder that flash floods and standing water can quickly create hazardous conditions on roadways. Authorities continue to urge drivers to remember the safety slogan: “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”
