PADUCAH, Ky. — The Coast Guard and the Sikeston, Mo., Fire Department rescued six people, Wednesday, from high-water conditions in Morehouse, Mo.
At approximately 9 a.m., Coast Guard Sector Upper Mississippi River in St. Louis received a report of six people in imminent flood danger in the Morehouse area. Two DARTs with a total of 12 crewmembers along with a fire rescue team from Sikeston responded to assist the impacted residents.
One person required medical attention, while the other five reported no medical concerns or injuries.
DARTs consist of six crewmembers that are capable of conducting operations in shallow water and urban environments. The DART teams are outfitted with three 16-foot shallow water boats, various rescue and communications equipment and supplies.
DART crewmembers in conjunction with state and local first responders have also assessed flood levels in various communities to render assistance to residents before evacuation is necessary.
The Coast Guard has staged the DARTs in support of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the state of Missouri to minimize damage to property and to help save lives from historic flood levels
The Coast Guard crews are also standing by to assist with environmental hazards that may be caused by the flooding. DARTs from both Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Paducah and Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley are on standby to deploy to assist persons in distress if necessary.
The Coast Guard urges residents to heed the warnings of local officials and not venture into unsafe conditions.
“With more rain expected, the Coast Guard is ready and eager to send our teams to help residents in the impacted communities of Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and Tennessee,” said Cmdr. Claudia Gelzer, commanding officer of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Paducah.
