A driver died after being swept away in floodwater from Tropical Storm Debby in Lumberton, officials said Saturday, making this the third person in North Carolina to die in Debby-related causes.
Debby unleashed flooding and tornadoes while moving through the state last week. Roads were closed because they were under water or blocked by a fallen tree or power lines. Homes were damaged, with some having the roof ripped off as tornadoes moved through.
Lumberton Rescue and EMS posted online that a driver was swept away after driving through 8-12 inches of floodwater along Old Whiteville Road near the county line. As of Saturday, the road was still flooded in some areas and remained closed in both directions.
"This incident had a somber ending. A motorist drove into the running flood water and their vehicle was swept away. The driver did not survive," Lumberton Rescue and EMS posted.
Multiple agencies responded to what they thought was a rescue, but say it turned into a recovery.
"It bears repeating. Never drive into flooded roadways and obey road closed signage," Lumberton Rescue and EMS said.
The driver's identity has not been released.
Two other people in North Carolina died in Debby-related situations. A 60-year-old man died in Wilson County Thursday when a house collapsed in a tornado, officials said. A 78-year-old woman died when a tree fell on a mobile home in Rockingham County Thursday.
Ten tornadoes, ranging in strength from EF0 to EF3, were confirmed by the National Weather Service.
Related article: 10 tornadoes confirmed in N.C. as cleanup from Debby continues
Over three days, Wilmington received nearly 10 inches of rain, Shallotte received just over 11 inches and Cary received 6.85 inches.
Several rivers are at moderate to major flood stage to close out the weekend, prompting a plethora of river flood warnings.
Related article: River flooding concerns due to Debby continue through the weekend
“Never drive around barricades. They’re there to protect you and it’s also against the law to do so," Secretary of Transportation Joey Hopkins said in a press conference Friday.