A Hickory woman was killed in Alexander County floodwaters over the weekend. The deceased is 49-year-old Lisa Michelle Riahi.

On Saturday (July 15) at approximately 11:30 p.m. 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 holding on to a tree and one victim in the water.

Responders found 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 second victim continued into the daylight hours.

Lisa Michelle Riahi was found deceased some 2.2 miles from the initial incident. Alexander County Sheriff Chad Pennell said 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. Various media reports state that the individual rescued is the victim’s husband.

Alexander County Emergency Management reported that 7.3 inches of rainfall was recorded in the area. The probe is continuing as a death investigation. Several agencies assisted the responding departments including Taylorsville Police Ellendale Fire, Bethlehem Fire and Rescue, the Hiddenite, Sugar Loaf, and the Taylorsville Fire Departments.