Woman Drowns On Flooded Highway 29 In Cantonment

April 30, 2014

A 67-year old Pensacola woman drowned in flood waters on Highway 29 in Cantonment Tuesday night.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Betty Faye Word was traveling headed southbound on Highway 29 and entered water across the roadway. Her 2005 Mercedes CLK330 then entered the western shoulder of the roadway and became submerged in deeper. Word was unable to exit her vehicle, according to the FHP, and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Numerous other vehicles became stranded along Highway 29 in high water.

Pictured top: A submerged vehicle at the Cantonment Burger King on Highway 29. Pictured below: This photo was taken by the occupants of a vehicle in the Highway 29 flood waters looking back toward Burger King. Pictured bottom: Photo taken during Tuesday night a lightning strike looking from the Cantonment Winn Dixie parking lot at both the north and southbound lanes of Highway 29. NorthEscambia.com reader submitted photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

11 Responses to “Woman Drowns On Flooded Highway 29 In Cantonment”

  1. PATRICIA DAWKINS on May 6th, 2014 7:37 am

    There are no words that can express how sad it makes us to hear it was Betty Word that was in the car that was caught in flood water’s last week. When I say us I mean myself and the girl’s that work at the diagnostics center at AMP. Every time Betty came in she would light up the place. What a treasure she is. We will miss her beautiful smile and her wonderful disposition. Betty we love you.

  2. JT on May 2nd, 2014 6:19 am

    Everyone is quick to point fingers and make blame in these situations. There is few if any water management systems that could handle 26″ of rain in that short span. These events could not be changed by man. This was a record breaking rainfall and I’m not sure why anyone woul think that the flooded could be avoided.

  3. Julie Mayo on May 1st, 2014 8:46 pm

    My prayers and thoughts go out to the Word family. I taught her wonderful grandson. My heart is aching for the family. Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers.

  4. Eric on May 1st, 2014 3:33 pm

    My heart goes out as my prayers go up for this family. Having driven hwy 29 for over 35 years I have often been concerned with the flooding issues in Gonzalez. I hope & pray something is done now, but grieved by the fact that it’s too little; too late for this precious lady & her loved ones. I realize it’s considered a ‘ 100 year rain’ but it has long been broke & should have long been fixed. God Bless.

  5. Norma Jennings on May 1st, 2014 2:17 pm

    My heartfelt prayers go out to the family of Betty. I taught with her and knew what a compassionate gentle soul she was. She will be truly missed.

  6. Shelby Johnson on May 1st, 2014 9:51 am

    Such a horrible tragedy….my heart goes out to Betty’s family in our neighborhood. May God’s strength engulf you and give you some peaceful moments throughout this terrible loss…

  7. Carrie on April 30th, 2014 11:27 pm

    My heart, prayers and love are with the entire Word family.

    To live in hearts we leave behind
    Is not to die.
    ~Thomas Campbell

  8. Nancy Perry on April 30th, 2014 8:19 pm

    @Debbie is that the one on Woodlake Drive that all those houses were built and now foreclosure now?

  9. Rebecca Herzog on April 30th, 2014 5:56 pm

    I am so extremely sorry to hear about the death of Mrs. Word. She was the best teacher and I am saddened to hear this great loss of such a fantastic person. My heart goes out to all of her family and friends.

  10. Debbie Moore on April 30th, 2014 1:58 pm

    The large unmaintained drainage pond across the street from Winn Dixie on HWY 29 / Burger King was blocked by very large Beaver dam and I feel it played a large part of the water backing up and causing the water t levels o raise so high. So very sadden by the drowning. I have tried and tried to get something done about that pond not draining …maybe someone will be done now. My prayers go out to the Word family.

  11. Tammy on April 30th, 2014 9:58 am

    Im so sorry to the family and friends that lost their family member due to the flooding. God Bless!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News