Overview

• A young boy was swept into a storm drain in Mount Airy on July 31 when floodwaters rose rapidly and died after being recovered from the narrow pipe.
• Fire, police and sheriff’s teams worked to reach the child but had to shift from rescue to recovery as strong currents pushed him deeper into the drain.
• Officials are reviewing initial reports about the victim’s age and identity after first responders identified him as a 13-year-old.
• Neighbors highlighted the absence of grates or barriers on the storm drain opening and urged local authorities to install safety measures.
• The National Weather Service continues to issue flood watches across the northern mid-Atlantic and southern New England amid ongoing heavy rain threats.