Motorists make it to safety
At least one person had to be rescued from a flooded vehicle Wednesday after heavy rainfall pushed local creeks onto roadways, while another was able to make his way through a rain-swollen tributary on his own.
Garland County Department of Emergency Management Director Bo Robertson said Capt. Shelby Terry of the Garland County’s Sheriff’s Department rescued a woman from floodwaters on Deer Park Road, pulling her from a vehicle in waters that had reached the windshield.
Jonathan Werst of Holy Spirit Loop made it to safety on his own early Wednesday after his Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck was swept into the Middle Branch of Gulpha Creek, forcing him to climb into the bed as the water rose, according to a firefighter at the scene.
In both cases, the Hot Springs Fire Department’s swift water rescue team was called out, but waved off after the occupants made it to safety.
Morning Star Fire Department Chief Nathan Kew said firefighters were dispatched to the scene on Mill Creek Road at 7:39 a.m. regarding a truck being swept away by floodwaters. He said Werst was driving across the low water bridge on Holy Spirit Loop when his truck got washed into the creek and swept downstream.
Kew said Werst was able to climb from the back of the truck to a nearby tree, but then the truck dislodged and struck the tree, knocking him into the water. Once in the water, Werst was able to scramble to the shore and was safe.
Kew said his department doesn’t have water rescue equipment, so he had called for the Hot Springs Fire Department’s swift water rescue team, which was deployed.
Hot Springs Fire Chief Ed Davis said they were en route but were canceled after Werst made it to shore safely.
Kew said he drove around to the area where Werst, who was not injured, emerged from the creek and gave him a ride back home.
Davis said the swift water rescue team also started to respond to a second water emergency shortly after the Mill Creek incident involving a car partially submerged on Deerpark Road, off Park Avenue, but again the unidentified driver was able to get out safely and their response was canceled while they were en route.