Tragedy struck in central North Carolina when two individuals were found dead after being swept away by floodwaters while a police officer attempted to rescue them.

The incident unfolded as their vehicle became trapped in a ditch filled with approximately 6 feet of fast-moving water, following heavy rainfall in the area.

In a desperate attempt to escape, a woman climbed out of the vehicle's roof but fell into the water, prompting an officer to jump in to save her; however, the strong current swept them both away, along with a man who also disappeared.

This incident occurred amid severe weather conditions, with North Carolina experiencing significant rainfall, including reports of 7.3 inches in Spring Hope by the afternoon of August 6.

The flooding situation was exacerbated by previous storms, particularly the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal, which had already caused fatalities and extensive damage in the region.

In response to the ongoing crisis, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein declared a state disaster for eight counties, allowing residents to apply for state financial assistance.

As of August 7, the highway where the incident occurred is closed in both directions, with rescue crews utilizing boats and drones to locate the missing persons.

Spring Hope Mayor Kyle Pritchard confirmed that a vehicle was swept away by the rapidly rising waters, expressing concern for the missing individuals and their families.

Authorities have emphasized the dangers of flooding, urging motorists to avoid driving through moving waters, which can quickly sweep vehicles away.

The officer involved in the rescue also required assistance due to the dangerous conditions, highlighting the perilous nature of the flooding.

Authorities later confirmed the deaths of the man and woman involved in the tragic incident, marking a somber outcome in an already devastating situation.

Meanwhile, critical fire weather alerts are in effect across seven Western states due to conditions conducive for rapid fire spread, expected to persist through at least Saturday.