A driver in Kansas found out the hard way that flood barricades are there for a reason after a rescue Monday morning that unfolded in fast-moving floodwaters.
The incident happened in Wellington following heavy rain and flooding across parts of Sumner County. According to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, the driver went around barricades near South Oliver Road and attempted to proceed through a water-covered area.
That decision quickly backfired. Authorities said the vehicle was lifted by rushing water and carried into a nearby field, leaving the driver stranded on top of it and in need of rescue.
Fortunately, firefighters reached the driver before the situation became even more dangerous.
Firefighters Rescue Driver From Hood of Vehicle
According to the Sumner County Sheriff’s Office, Wellington Fire/EMS responded to the scene after the vehicle was swept away by fast-flowing floodwaters.
“The person drove around the barricades & the vehicle was lifted and taken by the fast flowing water into the field nearby,” the sheriff’s office wrote in a social media post.
Photos shared by the agency show firefighters rescuing the driver from the hood of the stranded vehicle. The sheriff’s office praised Wellington Fire for the successful rescue.
Officials Repeat Familiar Flood Safety Warning
After the rescue, local officials used the incident as a reminder that flooded roads can be far more dangerous than they appear.
In a follow-up post, the sheriff’s office urged motorists to follow the familiar “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” warning and avoid driving through water-covered roadways. Officials also cautioned drivers against using unfamiliar dirt roads during flooding events.
As of Monday morning, portions of Oliver Road remained flooded, according to Sumner County Emergency Management. Other major routes, including Highway 81 and the Kansas Turnpike, had reopened to traffic.
Thankfully, this incident ended with a successful rescue rather than a tragedy. It also serves as a reminder that barricades are typically placed for a reason, and ignoring them can turn a simple drive into an emergency in a matter of seconds.