Firefighters rescue driver stranded in floodwater in Stanislaus County. Warning is issued.

Stanislaus County authorities have been warning people about driving on roads closed by the recent severe weather.

Sheriff Jeff Dirkse stressed in a Facebook video last week that road closures and evacuations are ordered for a reason: to keep people safe.

Thursday, West Stanislaus firefighters rescued a driver from a pickup truck that became stuck in floodwater on Eastin Road at Orestimba Creek near the town of Crows Landing.

A video posted by West Stanislaus Fire Protection District shows the white pickup truck half submerged, with the driver sitting on the roof. The video shows a rescue team in a boat going out to the pickup truck.

The firefighters navigated up to the vehicle and handed the driver a life jacket. He was helped into the rescue craft.

According to the fire district post, the driver who was not identified failed to obey road closure signs on Eastin Road. After stalling in the floodwater, the driver was able to climb out of the cab and onto the roof. The fire district said he was not injured.

The California Highway Patrol also was at the scene during the water rescue. CHP spokesman Officer Tom Olsen said the driver was not cited.

Dirkse said in his March 16 video on the Stanemergency.com Facebook page that if deputies catch someone driving around a road barricade, the person may be subject to a citation or arrest. “Follow the orders that are out there,” Dirkse said. “Don’t put yourself at risk and do not put our first responders at risk.”

Officials said other roads in the Newman area are impacted by floodwater from Orestimba Creek.