MFD: NEARLY 30 WATER RESCUE CALLS IN SIX HOURS

MIDLAND, TEXAS -- The Midland Fire Department reported a total of 28 water rescue calls between 4 p.m. Friday (Aug. 30, 2024) and 10 p.m.

The rescue calls happened during and after the heavy rain in and around Midland. The National Weather Service reported 1.6 inches of rain between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Midland Airpark.

The NWS also reports it is never safe to drive into flood waters.

“Each year, more deaths occur due to flooding than from any other thunderstorm related hazard. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that over half of all flood-related drownings occur when a vehicle is driven into hazardous flood water,” the NWS states in its “Turn Around Down Drown" campaign. “People underestimate the force and power of water. Many of the deaths occur in cars swept downstream. Many of these drownings are preventable. Never drive around the barriers blocking a flooded road. The road may have collapsed under that water.  A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. It takes just 12 inches of rushing water to carry away most cars and just 2 feet of rushing water can carry away SUVs and trucks.”