Aerial video shows three people, dog rescued from car roof during California flood
Three people and a dog were rescued on Sunday after officials say the group drove around highway barricades after the roads were closed due to floodwaters.
Watch flood rescue: Three people and dog trapped on roof of car in California
Fire crews and sheriff's deputies came to the rescue of 3 people and their dog. Watch Tulare County Sheriff's Office plane discover the group trapped on the roof of the car and swift water rescue teams take the four to safety on a boat.
CORCORAN, Calif. – Three people and a dog were rescued on Sunday after officials say the group drove around highway barricades after the roads were closed due to floodwaters.
As the car sank and filled with water, the three people helped their dog onto the car's roof and waited. A Tulare County Sheriff’s Office plane spotted the four and quickly called for backup.
About 14 vehicles and a boat came to the rescue. Thankfully, the submerged car was very close to a portion of the road that was not flooded. The drone video shows deputies watching within shouting distance.
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Image 1 of 2The officers and deputies had no problem communicating with the trapped group. (Tulare County Sheriff's Office)
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Image 2 of 2Over a dozen vehicles came to the rescue. (Tulare County Sheriff's Office)
The Tulare County Fire Department Water Rescue Team waded out to the car with an inflatable boat. Despite being on a highway, officers were in waist-deep water, which is more than enough to carry a car.
The NWS states that only 2 feet of rushing water can carry away most cars, pickups and SUVs. One foot can float most cars, and 6 inches could cause the driver to lose control and stall.
The water rescue team brought the stranded travelers to dry land.
(Tulare County Sheriff's Office / FOX Weather)
Officials encourage the "Turn around, don’t drown" slogan that the NWS coined in Texas in 2003. After NOAA trademarked the phrase, they launched a national campaign in 2004.
File: The NWS and NOAA installed "turn around don't drown" signs across the nation.
(Nicole McGavock, NWS / NOAA)
Flooding kills more Americans each year than any other severe weather-related hazard, according to the NWS. Over half of all flood-related drownings happen after a car drives into floodwater, states the Centers for Disease Control. About 400 Americans die every year because their vehicle is submerged, according to a 2013 study published in Aviation, Science and Environmental Medicine.
Portions of Tulare County, California, are still under evacuation orders and road closures since March 8. One of the atmospheric river-fueled storms flooded rivers and triggered levee breaches. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection estimates that seven structures have been destroyed, 778 suffered significant damage, and almost 24,000 structures are still threatened.
The next round of storms arrives overnight.