Swiftwater Team
rescue stranded drivers
March 29, 2023
Adriana Keeton
Overnight storms last Thursday brought several inches of rain to southwest Missouri, causing flooding throughout the region and causing rivers and creeks to leave their banks.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, more than thirty routes were closed due to flooding in the SW District of the state in twenty-one counties.
Locally, according to Purdy Fire Chief Nick Mercer, the Barry County multi-agency Swiftwater Team responded to five calls for assistance with swift water rescue. Drivers were rescued from two calls, one being transported to the hospital. The other three calls either found no vehicle or the vehicle was abandoned.
There are currently six agencies and thirty-four technicians on the multi-agency Swiftwater Team: Cassville Fire Protection District, Purdy Fire Protection District, Monett Rural Fire District, Aurora Rural Fire Protection District, Marionville City Fire Department, and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Mercer also wanted to acknowledge Barry County Dispatch for their assistance during the flash floods. "Dispatch was a guiding light helping us find pathways to these victims," he said, "They are an integral part of the team."
The Swiftwater Team came together in 2017, spear-headed by the Purdy Fire Protection District, after the 2015 floods. Individuals must be certified swift water rescue technicians or operational technicians to be on the team.
Overnight storms last Thursday brought several inches of rain to southwest Missouri, causing flooding throughout the region and causing rivers and creeks to leave their banks.
According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, more than thirty routes were closed due to flooding in the SW District of the state in twenty-one counties.
Locally, according to Purdy Fire Chief Nick Mercer, the Barry County multi-agency Swiftwater Team responded to five calls for assistance with swift water rescue. Drivers were rescued from two calls, one being transported to the hospital. The other three calls either found no vehicle or the vehicle was abandoned.
There are currently six agencies and thirty-four technicians on the multi-agency Swiftwater Team: Cassville Fire Protection District, Purdy Fire Protection District, Monett Rural Fire District, Aurora Rural Fire Protection District, Marionville City Fire Department, and the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Mercer also wanted to acknowledge Barry County Dispatch for their assistance during the flash floods. "Dispatch was a guiding light helping us find pathways to these victims," he said, "They are an integral part of the team."
The Swiftwater Team came together in 2017, spear-headed by the Purdy Fire Protection District, after the 2015 floods. Individuals must be certified swift water rescue technicians or operational technicians to be on the team.