Arkansas Sheriff rescues driver from his truck roof during flood
So many people called in about a driver stranded on their truck roof in floodwaters that the Greene County Sheriff’s Department had to take to Facebook. “Water rescue underway in Southeast Greene County,” Sheriff Brad Snyder announced Sunday night. “Deputies, along with the Greene County Rescue Squad, are en route to the area of 932 Rd near what’s referred to as Round Island to extract an individual from the roof of their pickup truck.”
Floodwaters had swallowed the Arkansas road. The truck was dead in the flood water. The driver had climbed onto the roof, waiting for help.
“The vehicle encountered deep water and flooded out,” Snyder reported. The current was too strong for a simple tow. The rescue squad was dispatched to bring the man to safety.
Onlookers waited on dry ground. Some prayed. Others shook their heads. Then came the update: “The gentleman was recovered from his truck safely. We are thankful for this outcome.”
But online, the debate had already begun.
Truck-top flood rescue sparks mixed reactions
When the sheriff announced the successful rescue, the comments poured in. Some were thankful. Some were angry.
“That’s my uncle,” one woman wrote. “He was trying to get to his brother, who was also stalled out. You do some crazy stuff when you’re trying to get to someone you love.”
Others weren’t so forgiving. “How do people keep getting swept away? STOP DRIVING INTO FLOOD WATERS!!!” one commenter fumed. Another warned, “Water is extremely dangerous! If you or your family are stranded, CALL EMERGENCY HELP!!!”
A few debated when—if ever—it makes sense to take the risk. “If a bystander stops, just tell them you called 911,” one commenter wrote. “So they don’t have to put their life in danger for a fellow American.”
The lesson: turn around, don’t drown
Whether you side with those who sympathized or those who scolded, the reality is simple. Floodwaters can be deadly. It doesn’t matter if your truck’s lifted. Unless you have a winch, a second vehicle, and are fully prepared to swim into the water and pull off a self-rescue, don’t be stupid.
And if your neighborhood is named Round Island even when it’s dry? Maybe take that as a warning.
