Woman Drowns in Louisiana Flood, Son Found Clinging to Tree

An unidentified woman drowned in Rapides Parish, Louisiana, after her vehicle was swept off the roadway by floodwaters. Her young son was found alive, clinging to a tree.

Sheriff’s deputies in Rapides Parish were called out around 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon when residents reported a vehicle being swept into a ditch by flood waters. Witnesses said the woman and her small son managed to escape from the vehicle before it sank, KATC ABC3 reported.

Witnesses reported woman and her son had been driving near Hineston, Louisiana, which is located about twenty-five miles southwest of Alexandria. Her vehicle was swept from the roadway into a ditch and began sinking.

After she and her little boy escaped from the vehicle, they were swept downstream by the rapidly moving water. Deputies and volunteers from the Oak Hill Volunteer Fire Department began searching for the mother and child.

Authorities were notified by two women who were walking in the area, the local ABC affiliate reported. The women heard what they believe was a cat screaming. They investigated further and found the little boy clinging to a tree.

The women swam out and retrieved the child who was then taken to an area hospital where he is reported to be in good condition. The lifeless body of the mother was found nearby. She was not breathing and did not respond to resuscitation. The identity of the woman and her son has not been released. Family members are being notified of the woman’s death.

Rapides Parish Sheriff William Earl Hilton told the ABC affiliate, “I would like to commend those ladies for their heroic and quick action that saved that child. It is so important, especially with the current conditions, that every precaution should be taken when driving near high water areas. Water can rise so fast and is so powerful it can wash a vehicle away in an instant.” The sheriff also expressed his condolences to the families.

Another woman and her small dog were rescued from a sinking car in Baton Rouge Saturday, Breitbart Texas reported. The red convertible was sinking quickly when volunteer rescuers in a small boat cut open the roof of the car and pulled the woman and her dog from the submerged car.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.