Flooding In Saline County

Like many parts of the state, residents there were pounded with several inches of rain.

Some Saline County streets that are typically busy looked more like rushing creeks or lakes Friday.

In Alexander, for instance, some areas were blocked because of the water. People were trapped.

Drivers ignored warnings and took their chances driving through floodwaters.

"I can't believe they done it. I wouldn't. I'm not driving through there," says area homeowner Julie Borden.

Brookwood Road is the only one in Alexander that leads to Lindsey Road, an area that houses dozens of families. Fire Chief Taylar Shells says his team has warned people it only takes a few inches of water to sweep away a vehicle, and its passengers.

"They're not only endangering their lives but they're endangering the rescue teams that have to get out there and get them," says Shells.

The area is in a flood plain and first responders say it often gives them trouble, and Friday morning was no exception. In fact, rescue teams had to help two families because of floodwaters trapping them in their homes. They had to use flatbed bottom boats to get them out.

"The water really started rushing in and trapped them in their house and that's when they called us from a cell phone to get over there with a boat them out," says Shells.

Listening to authorities' cautionary tales, some people whose homes were surrounded by flooding begrudgingly stayed indoors despite feeling cut off.

"I couldn't believe it's just like I'm trapped in here," says Borden.
In addition to the two families rescued in Alexander, Bryant firefighters conducted about five of their own swift water rescues. The good news is no word of any injuries from the flooding.