Two cars washed into creek by flooding in Warren County
WARRENTON, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two cars fell into Reedy Creek northeast of Warrenton Tuesday morning after floods washed away a huge chunk of Airport Road.
Pictures from the scene showed the vehicles washed downstream about 50 yards after going into the creek possibly as the road collapsed. One was almost completely submerged.
The Warren County Sheriff's Office said rescuers got three people out of the cars. They were taken to a nearby hospital, but are expected to be OK.
The road washed out when a culvert that normally takes Reedy Creek under the pavement couldn't handle the volume of water caused by flooding from Monday's heavy rain. Parts of Warren County got between 4 and 8 inches.
The swollen creek also submerged a bridge on Warrenton-Embro Road.
"Just a whole lot of rain coming down the creek, a whole lot of water ... hitting on the side of the road, on the shoulders, softened it up real good," said Frank Carpenter with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
While work is underway to get the swamped vehicles out of harm's way, authorities warn anyone who is curious and tempted to see the damage up close to avoid the area.
"Please stay off of Airport Road until further notice," Carpenter said. "We have it barricaded at both ends. Please stay off it, it is very dangerous."
Authorities said more of the roadway could fall into the creek as well.
It will likely be closed for some time as repair crews have to wait for the flood waters to subside before they can begin replacing the culvert.
