On Saturday July 15th at around 11:30pm, the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, Ellendale Fire Department, Alexander County EMS and Alexander County Rescue Squad were dispatched to the 1300 block of Dover Church Rd near Duck Creek Drive for a water rescue. Alexander 911 reported two victims. One victim was said to be clinging to a tree and one victim in the water. Responders located one victim clinging to a tree off Duck Creek Dr. Alexander County Rescue deployed a raft to the victim shortly after midnight.
The search for the 2nd victim continued into the daylight hours.
Lisa Michelle Riahi, age 49 of Hickory, was located deceased some 2.2 miles from the initial incident. Sheriff Chad Pennell said this afternoon that it appears the body was washed downstream in the rushing water. Pennell also stated that the driver of the vehicle attempted to cross through rushing water but was stalled.
Alexander County Emergency Management reported that 7.3 inches of rainfall was recorded in the area. The investigation is continuing as a death investigation.
Alexander County Emergency Management would like to thank the following agencies:
Alexander County Sheriff’s Office, Taylorsville Police Department, Alexander County EMS, Alexander County Rescue Squad, Alexander County Emergency Services, Alexander County Government, Ellendale Fire Department, Bethlehem Fire and Rescue, Hiddenite Fire Department, Sugar Loaf Fire Department, Taylorsville Fire Department, Wittenberg Fire Department, Little River Fire Department, North Carolina Highway Patrol, North Carolina Forest Service, and North Carolina DOT.