The Kentucky River crested as high as 48.3 feet in central Kentucky following days of heavy rain and floods. While waters were still rising, five firefighters, four in the Morehead Fire Department and one from Farmers Volunteer Fire, set out to Woodford and Anderson Counties. The group made dozens of rescues in tandem with local units and Kentucky Fish and Wildlife.
Rowan County’s three fire units, including the Morehead Fire department, Route 377 Volunteer Fire Department, and Farmers Volunteer Fire Department, regularly send groups to conduct swift water rescues during floods in the Commonwealth. Jarred Moore, a Captain at the Morehead Fire Department, said their group accomplished many rescues on Tyrone Road in Anderson County, an area that faced great devastation.
“What started as 20 ended up being 33, is what we documented. There were more that we had on other boats and we had a joint effort with Anderson Fire. So, at least 33 were evacuated out of that area who unfortunately had water in their homes. Some of them had water to the roofline of their homes and they were just waiting out near a close road,” said Moore.
Firefighters across the county are trained intensively to prepare for swift water rescue deployment near and far from home. Moore added from experience, one of the most helpful things people can do for themselves and evacuation teams is to stay aware of flood risks through the news or weather alerts.
“That way, there’s no surprises. If you do find yourself in a situation where you are surprised and water is coming up quicker than you imagined, taking that moment to pack a bag and make your egress to higher ground, a safer location,” said Moore. “Even if you think there’s a chance that your home could flood or you could be trapped or need evacuated, it’s very important.”
Moore added many of the firefighters conducting swift water rescues closer to home are volunteers, contributing their hard work and time toward this mutual aid.