ORANGEBURG, S.C. (WIS/Gray News) – A woman who was on her way to a pharmacy in South Carolina died after her car was swept away by floodwaters. His family believes his death could have been prevented if the road he was traveling on had been closed earlier.

Valerie Goff, 66, left her Orangeburg County home for a quick errand Thursday afternoon and never returned. He was one of two people who lost their lives following days of major flooding in the district. WIS reports.

Investigators say I found Valerie Goff’s body In his car a day after he was reported missing. The car was found underwater on Glover Street, just four minutes from the 66-year-old man’s home.

As Valerie Goff’s family continues to mourn, they are also confused. They believe their mother’s death could have been prevented if Glover Street had been closed sooner. His family said authorities finally closed the road by 8pm on Thursday; This was hours after Valerie Goff was reported missing.

The 66-year-old man’s son, Carmelle Goff, drove from Columbia to Orangeburg County on Thursday to search for his mother.

“He was in the water for over 24 hours,” he said.

Video obtained by WIS shows Glover Street and the car Valerie Goff was driving that day being submerged.

“An officer stated that they did not set up a barricade until 8 o’clock that night. “My mom would never get up at 8 o’clock that night and go out,” Carmelle Goff said. “There has to be a better system. “There needs to be a better system and it needs to be proactive so this doesn’t happen to anyone else’s mother.”

Valerie Goff’s daughter, Renee Gooden, said her mother left her home twice on Thursday. One was on his way to pick up his mother’s prescriptions from Walgreens around 10 a.m. That’s about a six-minute drive from the 66-year-old man’s home on Pontiac Lane. He was told that the prescriptions were not ready at that time and he returned home.

“I know he sang Psalm 23 because that’s what he always did,” Gooden said.

Valerie Goff left around 3 p.m. in what would be her last attempt to pick up her mother’s prescriptions.

“I know he was hurt,” Gooden said. “The last thing he said to his mother was, ‘I’ll take your medicine, mom, I’ll be right back.'”

Gooden reported his mother missing soon after.

“Not being able to come back to say goodbye, not being able to make calls, not being able to give last hugs and kisses. It hurts,” Gooden said.

Valerie Goff’s children took WIS to their mother’s location on Glover Street. Some areas were still filled with water Monday afternoon.

“I still can’t believe he’s gone. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him that day,” Carmelle Goff said. “I didn’t get a chance to hear him say he loved me.”

While searching for Valerie Goff, investigators also found the body of a man near Stonewall Jackson Boulevard. He has not yet been identified.

Orangeburg County and other areas in eastern South Carolina we were left adrift Due to major flooding caused by heavy rains. Many parts of the East Midlands experienced between seven and 10 inches of rain, with totals of up to 15 inches in certain areas.

The Orangeburg County emergency services director said there is no active search and rescue for anyone at this time, but county officials are checking on property owners living along the Edisto River.

Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency Thursday evening to help counties with their recovery efforts.

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