Water rescue saves family in Shawnee County

CREDIT: Article/Picture Harrison Drake, KSNT News

DOVER, Kan. (KSNT) – It was a long night for one southwest Shawnee County family and for water rescue crews as well.

Emergency responders made a daring rescue to save the family of nine who were stranded in their home Wednesday morning after the heavy rainfall.

Surrounded by water with nowhere to go, a family of nine waited inside of their home for rescue and while emergency crews have been responding to water rescues throughout the night, this was different.

“We were evacuating homes in Willard but nothing as difficult and as technical as this,” said Dirk Christian, fire chief for Shawnee Heights Fire District #4.

Crews used a rope system attached from the front porch of the home to dry land. The family was boarded onto a raft and back to safety through over nine feet deep- fast running water and that wasn’t the only complication.

“Water has come up a good 6 to 8 inches since we’ve been on scene,” said Christian.

There was even a propane tank leak, as well as oncoming debris from the current. But it didn’t stop crews from making four trips across the water to rescue all nine family members.

“We were told that the water level would lower throughout the day but there was damage done to the house,” said Christian.

But by the end of the day it matters very little. Everyone was reported uninjured and safe.

The youngest of nine that were rescued was 4-years-old. All of them are well and with other family members.

SOURCE: http://ksnt.com/2016/04/27/water-rescues-taking-place-following-flooding-in-shawnee-county/