Rising Water Forces River Rescues

MEGAN DAVIS/MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Haley Williams, 3, squeals with delight after riding the water slide at the playground in Noel following the flash floods this week.
MEGAN DAVIS/MCDONALD COUNTY PRESS Haley Williams, 3, squeals with delight after riding the water slide at the playground in Noel following the flash floods this week.

Most days, water is one of the Pineville Fire Department's most crucial assets. But over the weekend some of the same people who regularly utilize this resource when fighting fires were reminded just how powerful of a force it can be.

Around 1:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19, first responders received a call about a woman trapped in her automobile after attempting to cross a low-water bridge east of Pineville.

While travelling west down Pine Hill Road, the woman's vehicle stalled after water levels reached a depth of four to five feet. McDonald County Sheriff's Office responded from Big Sugar Creek Road while firefighters approached the scene from K Highway.

Fortunately, her vehicle had stopped just short of entering the river's current, potentially saving the woman's life, said Fire Chief Greg Sweeten.

A rescue team was also assembled on Friday and quickly took to the water in order to provide aid to several people caught on the rising river.

Some canoe camps floated only adults, while others chose not to float anyone. Because of the abundance of water crossings and low lands in the county, everyone was at risk for a potentially dangerous interaction with flood waters.

The department would like to remind residents to exercise caution when flood advisories are in effect. If a person is unsure whether the water is passable, they promote the saying -- "Turn around, don't drown!"

The department asked people to remember:

• Standing water as shallow as six to eight inches is enough to float a vehicle.

• When the road is covered by water, a person can't tell what may be in the path, how deep the water is or even how fast it is moving.

Community on 06/25/2015