LAWRENCE COUNTY - MARCH 29, 2023 - Emergency personnel responded to two reports of a vehicles in flooded waters on Lawrence County roadways early Wednesday morning.
One person was transported to IU Health Hosptial in Bedford.
Photo: A van remains in flood waters in Tunnelton Wednesday morning, the person was able to get out without injury
Both incidents were reported within minutes of each other at approximately 7:40 am this morning.
In the first incident a driver drove into flood waters just before the railroad trestle in Tunnelton. Lawrence County Sheriff's Department, Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department and Lawrence County Fire Territory Ambulance personnel responded.
The driver was transported by Lawrence County Fire Territory Ambulance to IU Health Bedford Hospital to be evaluated in the emergency department.
Photo: One High Water sign can be seen on Tunnelton Road
The area did not have barricades or other warning signs of the flood waters; however, motorists are reminded to never drive in flooded roadways. The vehicle remains at the location until a towing company can remove the vehicle.
In the second incident was reported on Vinegar Hill Road near Old Buddha Road intersection with reports of a vehicle trapped in flood waters.
Photo: A small yard sign warns motorists of high water on Vinegar Hill Road at the intersection of Tunnelton Road. The lone sign could be difficult to see of a night and for motorists not familar with the area
Sheriff Greg Day told the Lawrence County Zephyr he responded to that incident in which the vehicle was not very far into the water. Another motorist was able to pull them out, and there were no injuries reported.
Photo:
The Shawswick Volunteer Fire Department and IU Lifeline Ambulance Service responded with Sheriff Day to the incident on Vinegar Hill Road.
At both locations the Lawrence County Highway Department placed small high-water signs to try and warn motorists of the flooded roadways. The high-water sign was placed at the intersection of Vinegar Hill Road and Tunnelton Road on a small yard sign. This could be very hard to see for motorists of a night.
A small yard sign was placed at the intersection of Tunnelton Road and Devils Backbone Road to warn motorists of the high water. Again, of a night the red and black sign could be difficult to see and people who are not familiar with the area.
On Tuesday morning around 8:00 am a vehicle drove into flood water on Indiana State Road 450 at the Williams Trestle. The vehicle was recovered from the flood waters around 11:00 am. No one was injured in that incident.
Photo: A vehicle ended up in flood waters on Indiana State Road 450 Tuesday morning
The county highway did not place any traffic cones or barricades at the exact location of the flooded roadway.
Emergency personnel throughout South-Central Indiana have been responding to water rescues in Brown, Jackson, and Washington Counties.
On Sunday, 1:47 pm Ellettsville Fire Department, Monroe County Sheriff's Department and IU Lifeline Ambulance Service was dispatched to a vehicle in flood waters at the intersection of North Barr Road and Woodland Road. No injuries were reported.
At 7:40 am Monday morning Washington County Sheriff's Department, Gibson Township Volunteer Fire Department First Responders and Washington County EMS was dispatched to a Jeep stuck in flood waters at Indiana State Road 256 in the 11000 block.
Hundred defy advice and drive straight into danger. The Turn Around do not drown safety recommendations fall on deaf ears every year.
This defiance costs 127 Americans on average every year, with anywhere from 2/3 of the deaths occurring in vehicles.
Many driving deaths and injuries occur in floods when drivers hit pools and spin off the road. Drivers hitting the water, stall their vehicles and get stuck as the water continues to rise.
Six inches of water reaching a vehicle floor and a foot of water is strong enough to carry a vehicle away. Two feet of water will carry most vehicles away including SUV's and pickups.
Drivers are prone to hit trees, debris hidden underwater or drive into collapsed roadways that remain unseen.
Despite the constant warnings from experts, drivers in their defiance of logic continue to plow into flood waters. Many of the drivers and their passengers dying trapped in their vehicles or while attempting to escape.
A study revealed that 84 percent of drivers will drive past a road barricade into flood waters. The majority of them being male drivers in four-wheeled vehicles. (Source Allenstewart.com)
For breaking news, news and information go to lczephyr.org or like/follow the Lawrence County Facebook page.
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