Derby firefighters rescued a man trapped in a van in moving floodwaters Tuesday night, then rescued an injured man from Spring Creek before dawn Wednesday as heavy rain affected south-central Kansas.
The Derby Fire Department said its Truck 81A crew responded late Tuesday evening, Oct. 13, to the intersection of Nelson Drive and West Greenway Street. A man was trapped inside a work van submerged in moving floodwaters, and firefighters used the truck's aerial ladder to pull him out, KWCH reported.
Hours later, just before dawn on Wednesday, Oct. 14, the same crew responded to Spring Creek near East Chet Smith Avenue and South Woodlawn. A man had fallen about 20 feet into the creek and sustained injuries, the department said.
"Firefighters utilized the truck's aerial ladder and high-angle rope rescue techniques to safely bring the man to a waiting ambulance," the Derby Fire Department said.
The two rescues capped a busy night. Earlier Tuesday evening, the department said Truck 81 assisted with a garage fire near 87th Street South and Webb Road, outside city limits.
The rescues came as strong winds, heavy rain and lightning swept across the Wichita area Tuesday evening, flooding roads in multiple locations. In Wichita, drivers were asked to avoid Harry Street from McLean to Seneca and Pawnee from Meridian to Sheridan, according to KWCH. At least one vehicle stalled in high water at Pawnee and Oliver.
Additional flooding remains possible through Thursday afternoon, Oct. 15. KWCH Storm Team 12 forecasts 2 to 4 inches of total rainfall across south-central Kansas before storms end that afternoon. National Weather Service meteorologist Mick McGuire told the Wichita Eagle that periodic showers and thunderstorms would continue into Thursday, with flooding potential as a cold front settles into the region.
The Derby Fire Department warned that just 12 inches of moving water can carry away a passenger vehicle and two feet can sweep away trucks and SUVs. "Don't take the chance. Turn Around, Don't Drown," the department said.
