In a tragic incident exacerbated by the aftermath of Tropical Storm Chantal, a woman lost her life amid rising floodwaters in Chatham County. CBS 17 reports that the victim, identified as 83-year-old Sandra Portnoy Hirschman of Pittsboro, was found deceased in her vehicle, which was overtaken by the flood and settled some distance away from the road.
Hirschman was driving her 2014 Audi A4 on Farrington Point Road close to midnight when she encountered the deadly waters; the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said her car got stuck, became submerged, and was ultimately swept about 100 feet from the roadway, according to details provided by 1st Sgt. Christopher Knox in a statement obtained by WRAL. In the wake of her death, the sheriff’s chief deputy, Steve Maynor, expressed the need for thoughts and prayers not just for the bereaved family but also for the first responders and Department of Transportation workers who are striving to mend the damaged infrastructure.
While as of Monday a search was still underway for two missing boaters on Jordan Lake, the Chatham County authorities had already expressed grave concern and advised residents against vehicular movement in such perilous conditions. The News & Observer included a warning from Steve Newton, Chatham County Emergency Management director, saying, “The safety of our residents and responders is our top priority,” and urging for adherence to the credo “Turn around — don’t drown.”…