Sheriff: 72-year-old man dead after being swept away by floodwaters

72-year-old presumed dead in flood

The Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office says a 72-year-old man is presumed dead after likely being swept away by flood waters

GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY, Wash. - Authorities confirmed a 72-year-old Washington man died when his car was swept away during a flood in Cosmopolis.

Grays Harbor County deputies found the body of Delbert Pratt in his car underwater, swept about 100 yards west of his driveway. A tow truck was able to pull the car from the water

According to the sheriff's office, a woman called 911 just before 6:00 a.m. Friday to report that her husband was missing from their home on North River Road in Cosmopolis.

She said he had gone outside to move their car to higher ground to save it from the rapidly rising floodwaters. When her husband did not return, she called for help.

Law enforcement was not able to reach the area at the time because of the flooding. However, firefighters in the area from District 15 searched for the missing man and vehicle but did not find either.

Deputies suspected Pratt likely went over the steep bank next to the couple's driveway, but attempts to find him were unsuccessful on Friday. Deputies were also joined by Shoalwater Bay Police hours later, but were still unable to find Pratt.

Authorities say they found Pratt's body around 9 a.m. on Saturday.