A tragic incident occurred on Election Day in Missouri when a married couple volunteering as poll workers died in flash floods in Wright County. The 70-year-old man and 73-year-old woman were in one of three vehicles that washed off the roadway in rising floodwater on State Route H. Three other individuals were able to swim to safety, but the couple did not survive the rising waters despite attempting to swim to safety and hanging onto a bush. It took authorities hours to locate their bodies, using a drone to find them in the affected area. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the deaths and stated that there were several vehicle slide-offs and swift water incidents in the area.
The couple, who were on their way to a voting site, were described by the Wright County Clerk’s Office as dedicated citizens who valued fair and honest elections. The office expressed deep sorrow at the loss of the couple and the service they provided to the community. The flooding in the area has claimed five lives, including the couple, according to Missouri officials. The flooding was described as a “10-year flood” by Missouri State Highway Patrol Sgt. Eddie Young, and evacuations were still ongoing at the time of the incident. The victims’ names have not been released out of respect for their family’s privacy.
Authorities worked tirelessly to locate the bodies of the couple, flying a drone over the affected area to find them. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office reported that six swift water incidents occurred in the area, resulting in the tragic deaths of two individuals. The couple’s dedication to volunteering as poll workers was highlighted by the Wright County Clerk’s Office, which expressed sadness at their passing and the loss to the community. Officials say that the flooding has caused widespread damage and evacuations in the area, with conditions described as particularly severe.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol confirmed that the deceased couple were on their way to a voting site when they tragically lost their lives in the flash floods. The sheriff’s office reported that areas that don’t typically flood were affected by the rising waters, leading to multiple vehicle slide-offs and swift water incidents. The Wright County Clerk lamented the loss of the couple, describing them as wonderful people who generously donated their time to serve the community. The flooding in Missouri has resulted in several fatalities, with evacuations continuing as officials work to address the widespread damage caused by the flooding.
Missouri officials have not released the names of the deceased couple in order to respect the privacy of their family. The Missouri State Highway Patrol described the current flooding conditions as “10-year floods,” indicating the severity of the situation. The tragic incident on Election Day serves as a reminder of the dangers posed by severe weather events and the importance of safety measures in such circumstances. The loss of the couple who were dedicated poll workers has deeply impacted the community and highlighted the risks posed by flash floods in the region. The couple’s commitment to serving their community will be remembered as their legacy in Wright County, Missouri.
