A woman who was rescued after being trapped in her car, surrounded by floodwaters, spoke with WFMY News 2 about the near-death experience to warn other drivers.
On Saturday morning, Sharan Varner loaded up her car with plants and her dog Brickles to visit her daughter and granddaughter, whose car was totaled in a wreck the day before.
"I really am a very cautious driver. And I do not speed. And am really worried about making sure I'm safe," said Varner, who lives in Reidsville in Rockingham County.
But even her cautious approach was no match for the floodwaters from Buffalo Creek, which spilled onto a bridge on Huffine Mill Road in Gibsonville.
"When I got to the bridge, it just looked wet, so I proceeded very slowly, no problems," said Varner.
When Varner realized the water was actually several inches deep, she tried to back up and turn around.
But it was too late. The water, which was becoming a rushing river, swept her car away and trapped it against a guardrail on the bridge.