An elderly couple from Missouri, who were en route to serve as poll workers on Election Day, tragically lost their lives when their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in Wright County. The Missouri State Highway Patrol received a report around 4:30 a.m. on November 5, indicating that three vehicles had been carried off State Route H near Beaver Creek due to severe flooding.
The highway patrol, with assistance from Missouri Department of Conservation agents and the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, immediately launched rescue operations. Three individuals from two vehicles managed to swim to safety, but the elderly couple in the third vehicle—a 70-year-old man and a 73-year-old woman from Manes, Missouri—were found deceased at approximately 8:45 a.m.
The Wright County Sheriff's Office, in a separate statement, shared that their team used a drone to assist in locating the couple. They reported experiencing “extreme flooding in low-lying areas and bridges” overnight, with multiple vehicles hydroplaning and flooding in areas not typically prone to high water. According to the sheriff’s office, the area saw six swift water rescue operations, two of which ended in fatalities.
Wright County Clerk Loni Pedersen expressed her sorrow, describing the couple as “dedicated citizens who valued fair and honest elections” and noted that they “will be missed.” The clerk also stated that the couple’s names would not be released to honor the family’s privacy during this difficult time.
This tragic incident highlights the dangers posed by sudden flash flooding, even in areas unaccustomed to high water.
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