January 9, 2024, News Release

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA – At approximately 6:27 pm on Tuesday, January 9, 2024, volunteer and career fire rescue units, along with officers from the Albemarle County Police Department, were dispatched to Watts Passage near Preddy Creek for a swift water rescue. A vehicle with two passengers got stuck on a flooded roadway. When water began to flood into the vehicle, they climbed onto the car’s roof. The individuals were swept off the vehicle and into the water. They held onto small branches until the water rescue team reached them and brought them to safety.

Both individuals were transported to UVA Hospital for treatment.

Also on Tuesday evening, around 7:12 pm, another vehicle was trapped in a flooded portion of Durrett Ridge Road. That driver was able to self-extricate from the vehicle.

Albemarle County Fire Rescue would like to take this opportunity to remind drivers to never enter a flooded roadway. Almost half of all flood-related deaths happen in vehicles. Water levels are high throughout the area and will continue to rise even after the rain ends. Take caution.