Shock and anguish from Crittenden County, Kentucky, where flash flooding claimed the life of a little girl.

  2-year-old Kate Hearod died Friday morning. Her mother's car plunged into high water on Kentucky 855 between Frances and Salem just before dawn.

It was still dark when 22-year-old Heather Hearod made her way around a curve on Kentucky 855 headed to work. A road sign warned motorists of high water but the young mother did not see the sign. Road blocks weren't up yet when she came to the high waters, lost control of her car, and was swept away. 

Hearod was able to get out of the car with her daughter, but the two were separated. That's when neighbors and rescue workers struggled to reach the girl.

Don Arflack was on the scene during the rescue.

“The way I understand it, she couldn't swim, and she had to get out of the window of the car.  She couldn't get the door open.  Had to climb out the window, and the child was hanging on to her. She couldn't swim, and she was having a hard time getting in and the child turned loose, and she couldn't grab her,” said Arflack.

Rescue workers paddled a boat out to trees where they found Katie caught up in some limbs and other debris.

Rick Mills was in that boat.  He says they had to use flashlights to find the girl.

“Just her jacket, a little windbreaker type jacket it looked like. It was different than the rest of the surrounding area.  It was a little shiny, so we went straight to it, and it was her,” said Mills.

Mills performed CPR on Katie as they rowed back to shore.  They handed her off to emergency workers who took her to Livingston County Hospital, but it was too late.  Katie died within hours.

Heather Hearod was taken to Livingston County Hospital and is recovering from her injuries.

This is only one victim of this crazy weather. Keep us all in your thoughts.