Two WYFF News 4 employees were killed Monday afternoon when a tree struck their vehicle in Polk County.

Weekend Anchor Mike McCormick and Photojournalist Aaron Smeltzer died when the incident occurred on Highway 176. The pair were covering the continuing story of the impact of heavy rain in the area, according to wyff.com.

McCormick joined WYFF News 4 in April 2007, while Smeltzer had shot news in the region for about 10 years.

According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, the investigation is being handled by the State Highway Patrol. Highway 176 is shut down between Ozone Drive in Saluda and Harmon Field Road in Tryon.

Also, due to flash flooding, Chimney Rock State Park is closed due to instability in the upper parking lot.