(MAUMEE) – Four people were rescued from flood waters today after being stranded in flood waters overnight in Jackson County.
The four: 25-year-old Cheaney Evitts of Bedford, 39-year-old Kimberly Miller of Oakland City, 18-year-old Aleigha Tarbutton of Hillsboro, Ohio, and 22-year-old Savanah James of Bethel, Ohio, were rescued today.
Police say 32-year-old Gene Flint of Osgood, was with the group when their vehicle got stuck. He left to get help and was found about a mile and half south where he called for help.
According to Jackson County police, the five were on County Road 1190 West in Maumee, north of Robertson Cemetery around 6:30 p.m. when Flint’s Jeep Cherokee got stuck in the floodwaters.
Officials say the area floods from water from the tributaries to the Monroe Lake.
The water was so deep, between four to five feet deep, it seeped into the vehicle. They climbed to the roof to stay dry.
Everyone had a cellphone, but there was no signal to call for help.
Deputies were alerted to the incident at 8:14 a.m. this morning, but when they arrived they found no one in or on the vehicle. Lt. Adam Nicholson used the department’s drone to search the area.
The group had walked north of the floodwaters about two-tenths of a mile from where the police found the Jeep.
First responders and firefighters from Pershing and Owen Volunteer Fire Departments used a jon boat and were able to rescue the group at 9:53 a.m. Several had a hard time walking because their feet were swollen and purple. All four were taken by Jackson County EMS to Schneck Medical Center for treatment and were later released.
Police say the driver will be cited for driving in the floodwaters.
