Flooding from Hurricane Helene claimed the life of two North Carolina deputies as the storm tore through the southern United States last week.
According to the North Carolina Sheriff's Association, a Macon County sheriff's deputy and a Madison County sheriff's deputy "were tragically killed in raging flood waters." Nearly 100 people in six states have been confirmed dead from Hurricane Helene, and North Carolina's deputy says the state faces an “unprecedented tragedy,” with flooding and landslides cutting off many people, Forbes reports.
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On Friday, Macon County Sheriff's Office officials found that Jim Lau, a courthouse security officer, hadn't returned from lunch, and his truck matched a 9-1-1 call about a truck in the river, with witnesses saying they saw someone in the vehicle before it went under, according to the agency. Crews began searching for Lau with drones and swift water rescue boats, and his body was found early Saturday.
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol is investigating the death.
"Jim was very liked and respected within our department," the agency stated in an online post. "He was known to be a hard worker, dependable, and he jumped in wherever help was needed. His absence will truly be felt in our agency."
The name of the Madison County Sheriff's Office deputy who was killed by floodwaters has not been released, and no details have been released about how the deputy died.
