Newton County first responders rescued eight from flooded roads last week after heavy rain submerged more than a dozen county roads.
Emergency Management Director Brian Taylor said dispatchers answered three separate calls of trapped vehicles Thursday and Friday.
“We’ve had a couple vehicles in water,” he said.
Thursday afternoon, Beulah Hubbard Fire Department, assisted by House Fire Department, responded to Rush Road, where two women and two children were trapped in a flooded vehicle.
“They didn’t know the area,” Taylor said. “They were following GPS and that’s the road it took them down.”
Friday afternoon saw Hickory Fire Department respond to two flooded vehicles on Rose Road and on McGee Road.
On Rose Road, Taylor said two women were attempting to drive through the flooded area when the current caught the vehicle and pulled it off the road.
Two people were also rescued from McGee Road, where Hickory Fire Department was assisted by Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks in performing a water rescue, Taylor said.
“They got a boat out and were able to rescue them,” he said.
In all three incidents, Taylor said moving water was a factor. He said driving through moving water should never be attempted.
“If it’s standing water, get out and see how deep it is,” he said. “No one should try to cross moving water.”
Newton County saw 14 roads flooded from last week’s rain, including Joyner Road, Rush Road, Brand Road, McGee Road, Skinner Place Road, Peavey Road, Ledlow Road, Rose Road, Sand Springs Church Road, Pleasant Ridge Road, Buckley Road, Landfill Road, Riser Creek Road, Allgood Road, Hudson Chapel Road and Erin Church Road.
As of Monday morning, Taylor said all roads should be clear; however, potholes and washouts from the water may remain.
No injuries or loss of life were reported from the incidents, Taylor said, and a big thank you goes out to Beulah Hubbard Fire Department, Hickory Fire Department, Newton County Sheriff’s Department, House Fire Department, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks and all the first responders who answered the calls.
“They did an outstanding job,” he said.
