OKC Fire Crews Respond To 55 Water Rescues Over The Weekend

The main concern this past weekend was flooding. And in Oklahoma City alone firefighters responded to about 55 water rescues from 6:25 p.m. Saturday until 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Tuesday, May 26th 2015, 5:56 pm



The main concern this past weekend was flooding. And in Oklahoma City alone firefighters responded to about 55 water rescues from 6:25 p.m. Saturday until 3:30 a.m. on Sunday.

“My son and his wife are on top of the truck but his daughter washed down into the creek and they don't know where she went,” said a caller to 911 on Saturday night.

Rescue crews responded to 89th and Harrah Road. The family's truck was washed off the road by high water.

“They got close to the water's edge and decided to cross,” said Acting District Chief Sean Cobb on Saturday night.

Their 16-year-old daughter started to float down the raging floodwater. Family members were able to get the girl a rope. Then Oklahoma City's dive team worked to rescue the entire family who was huddled on top of their vehicle. It was a scene that played out again and again across the city overnight.

“The car, we're stuck and it's kinda floating,” said one caller into 911.

“Are you in the water?” asked the dispatcher to another caller.

“Yes, I'm in the car with my wife,” he responded.

The Oklahoma City dive team is typically called out to perform water rescues. However in cases like this past weekend when there are so many calls for help, all the firefighters are called into duty. On Tuesday, members of the OKC fire department's dive team were training other firefighters on swift water rescues.

“That's why this training is so important. It's just to get knowledge out to our guys from getting themselves into a bad situation and becoming a victim themselves,” said Maj. Brad Smith with the OKCFD Dive Team.

But those are risks that rescue crews wouldn't have to take. Like the rescue on 89th and Harrah. Smith says more than 90 percent of calls they respond to are from people driving through high water.

“Not only are they risking their own lives, but as firefighters we show to try and rescue them and it's dangerous for us,” said Smith.

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