As South Carolina continues its wait to see how the rains of Florence will impact the state's low-lying areas and communities, Gov. Henry McMaster's flight over soggy parts of the state Monday turned from an observation trip to a rescue mission when the governor spotted two people stranded atop a flooded vehicle.
Flying with a South Carolina National Guard crew in a Blackhawk helicopter, the governor was touring Chesterfield and Marlboro County when he pointed at the men, who at first looked like they were floating in a red raft.
But McMaster and Chesterfield County Sheriff Jay Brooks noticed the men weren't on a raft but on the roof of what appeared to be a flooded pickup truck.
Brooks called to dispatchers, who sent in a boat crew to get the men to safety. After making another pass, the governor asked his pilot if the helicopter could land nearby to watch them get to land.