‘I can’t believe she’s gone’: S.C. missing mom dies in flood
ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - A South Carolina woman on her way to the pharmacy died when her car was caught in floodwaters. Her family believes her death could have been prevented, had the road she was traveling on been blocked off earlier.
Have you seen these missing people in the CSRA?
Authorities announced they are looking for two missing teens in Richmond and Orangeburg counties.
Valerie Goff, 66, left her home on the afternoon of Nov. 7 in Orangeburg County for a quick errand and never returned. She was one of two people who died following days of massive flooding across the county, according to authorities.
Investigators say they found Valerie Goff’s body in her car a day after she was reported missing. The car was found underwater on Glover Street, just four minutes from the 66-year-old’s home.
While Valerie Goff’s family continues to mourn, they’re also confused. They believe their mother’s death could’ve been prevented if Glover Street was barricaded off earlier. Her family said it wasn’t until 8 p.m. Thursday that officials finally closed off the road ― which was hours after Valerie Goff was reported missing.
The 66-year-old’s son, Carmelle Goff, drove from Columbia to Orangeburg County on Thursday to search for his mother.
“She had been in the water for over 24 hours,” he said.
The video obtained by WIS shows Glover Street and what appears to be the car Valerie Goff was driving that day while going underwater.
More than 120 roads remain closed from flooding in Orangeburg County
More than 120 roads in Orangeburg County remain closed or blocked due to damage from last week’s flooding, and schools were closed Monday across the county.
“An officer stated that they didn’t put barricades up till 8 o’clock that night. My mom would’ve never been up and out at 8 o’clock that night,” Carmelle Goff said. “It just gotta be a better system. It gotta be a better system and be proactive, so this doesn’t happen to nobody else’s mother.”
Valerie Goff’s daughter, Renee Gooden, said her mother made two trips out of her home Thursday. One was around 10 a.m. on a quest to pick up her mother’s prescriptions from Walgreens. That’s about a six-minute drive from the 66-year-old’s home on Pontiac Lane. At that time, she was told the prescriptions weren’t ready, and she returned home.
“I know she was saying the 23rd Psalm because that’s what she always did,” Gooden said.
Around 3 p.m., Valerie Goff left for her last attempt at getting her mother’s prescriptions.
“I know she was hurt,” Gooden said. “The last thing that she told her mother was, ‘I’m going to get your medicine, Mommy, and I’ll be right back.’”
Gooden reported her mother missing soon afterward.
“The fact that she wasn’t able to come back to say her goodbyes, the fact that she wasn’t able to make a call, the fact that she wasn’t able to give her last hugs, kisses. It hurts,” Gooden said.
S.C. cops arrest man accused of staging slaying as bear attack
The suspect who allegedly staged a fake bear attack to cover up a murder is in custody after a three-week manhunt.
Valerie Goff’s children took WIS to the same place where their mother was found off Glover Street. On Monday afternoon, some areas were still filled with water.
“I still can’t believe she’s gone. I didn’t have the chance to talk to her that day,” said Carmelle Goff. “I didn’t have the chance to hear her tell me she loved me.”
While searching for Valerie Goff, investigators also found the body of a man in the area of Stonewall Jackson Boulevard. He has not yet been identified.
Orangeburg County and other areas in eastern South Carolina have been left reeling from major flooding caused by heavy rains. Many portions of the eastern Midlands region experienced between seven to 10 inches of rain, with totals of up to 15 inches in certain areas.
The Orangeburg County emergency services director said there are no active search and recovery efforts for anyone at this moment, but county officials have been checking on property owners who live along Edisto River.
Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Thursday evening to assist in the counties’ recovery efforts.
Copyright 2024 WIS. All rights reserved.
