PAX, W.V. – A mother is searching for answers after her young child and vehicle were swept away by floodwaters in West Virginia on Friday.
Fayette County Sheriff Mike Fridley told FOX Weather that a recovery mission is underway along Paint Creek in Pax as search and rescue teams look for clues.
“It’s just a bad situation nobody ever likes to deal with in our profession,” Finley said.
Deputies received a 911 call from the mother at about 8:30 a.m. after she said her vehicle became stuck in high water and was washed away. The Fayette County Swift Water Rescue, along with multiple county deputies, are still on the scene investigating.
“The water is starting to recede a little bit in this area. So that’s helping us a lot,” Fridley said. “It’s just devastating, not just for the family but for the small community down here.
As much as 3 inches of rain fell across much of southern West Virginia overnight, with higher amounts locally in some spots. According to the sheriff, the area deputies are searching is also close to a creek and prone to flooding.
“All the years I’ve been here … we’ve never seen it this high,” Finley said.
According to authorities, first responders have measured water as high as 18 feet in some areas they are searched.
“Standing water is dangerous, and this proves it right here,” Fridley said. “Be smart, and don’t try to go through standing water. It doesn’t take but a couple of inches to wash your car away.”
No other information, including the age and gender of the child, has been released at this time.
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