Women recall rescue from Andrea's floodwater
Four women who had to be rescued when they steered their work van into rising flood waters in Raleigh last week said a split-second decision left them soaking and submerged.
Posted — UpdatedThe women, who work for Lelia’s Cleaning Service, were on their way home Friday during Tropical Storm Andrea, which dumped more than 5 inches of rain across the Triangle and caused flash flooding.
“We had just finished working,” said Roselia Gomez, who was driving the van.
They were on Glenwood Avenue near Brier Creek Parkway, when they encountered high water.
“I thought I can't get through because there was a dip (in the road),” Gomez said.
Just then, another woman in the van jumped in the driver’s seat and grabbed the wheel, deciding that, if a big truck could make it across, so could they.
But that wasn’t the case.
Water started rushing into the van, and the driver lost control. They were stuck in the median, and rescue teams used a boat to get them out.
“I just wanted to get out of there,” Gomez said. “I didn't want to be there anymore.”
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