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It happens. Probably more than 10 years ago now, I was driving through the backroads of the Midwest, 12hrs from home in an unfamiliar area. I had mapped my route and was using GPS as back up (in those days no updates the roads were closed). The rains had flooded some roads, and many were closed. They got more rain than expected, no hotels around, and some of the levees had burst.

Going down some two lane county road I passed a small road cone in the middle of the road between the two lanes. I was doing maybe 40mph in a 55mph sone. I saw flashing blue lights maybe a half mile up the road (hard to tell in the dark). I figured I’d slow roll up to the cop and ask him if the road was open, and if he could figure out which roads would take me to my destination (as some roads were closed/closing). But, the road cone worried me, so I stopped (probably 100yds past it). I decided to get out and walk to the cop car. Another 50-100yds and the road was completely gone; 10-15 ft drop into rushing water.

In the dark with the wind and rain, I didn’t see the road was gone until I was on top of it while walking…..if I would’ve kept driving - I would’ve never stood a chance; probably would’ve killed my wife, son, and myself. If that road cone would’ve blown away/over - same deal.

As it was, I was less than 12 miles from my destination - the road closures etc, it took another 3 1/2 hrs to get to where I was going. I called the county sheriff, and they had to ask two other counties to get the exact combo of roads (and apparently only way from “here” to “there”)…..with the unexpected results of the storm - they were scrambling to do anything to mark flooded/washed out roads.

I certainly don’t fault the man in the article - sometimes you can try to do everything right, and it still all goes to pot. By the Grace of God, that little road cone was there and gnawed at me to stop.