Sanford residents witnessed a rapid flash‑flood on Sunday evening as nearly four inches of rain fell in less than 90 minutes, submerging a stretch of North Oregon Street and State Road 46. The sudden rise left several vehicles stuck in waist‑deep water, prompting two local brothers to act.
Brothers step in as water rises
Bradley Hager and his brother, Chance Major, were driving near the intersection around 6 p.m. when they saw the water surge. “That was probably the deepest I’ve ever seen water in the road,” Major said.
The flooded section extended roughly half a mile, from a 7‑Eleven convenience store to an Audi dealership. The brothers immediately spotted a car fully submerged and decided to help.
Improvised rescue with tow straps
Using tow straps from their vehicle, the brothers drove into the flood, positioned themselves in front of the stranded cars, and waded to get under the low‑lying vehicles. “It was a little bit of a challenge. We had to do a bit of swimming to get under them,” Hager explained.
They successfully pulled two cars out of the water. One driver’s vehicle stalled after exiting the flood, but the brothers escorted the occupants back to the driver’s home, ensuring they arrived safely.
Authorities respond
After the rescues, Hager and Major contacted the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies arrived at the intersection just before 6:30 p.m. and blocked the road while crews assessed the situation.
Seminole County’s Road and Stormwater team later reported that they had inspected ditches and storm‑water lids the previous morning and found no blockages. The ditches remained full, but all roads were cleared overnight.
Community safety reminder
When asked why they intervened, Hager said, “We’re both just always like that. We always help people out.” Major added a simple safety tip: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
With more rain forecast for the week, county officials said they are monitoring the drainage system to prevent further flooding.
What residents can do
Officials encourage drivers to avoid low‑lying roads during heavy rain and to report hazardous conditions promptly. The county’s ongoing inspections aim to keep Sanford’s streets safe as weather patterns become increasingly unpredictable.
Original reporting: WESH Orlando — read the source article.
