Water rescue on the Little Mo

[Bozman]

Yes, it would probably be a good idea to contact someone before drivig down there. Just heard them asking one of the funeral homes for additional body bags.

[Gordon Kumpuris]

I just spoke with the Montgomery County Sherrif's office and as expected they said they DO NOT want additional rescue and recovery volunteers at this point.

[jclaudii]

How many do they have...Not that I'm going...but I would think they would want members from ACC to help with their efforts!?

Just curious on some of these rescue efforts..I'm guessing JetSki's are powerful enough to go up and down stream looking for people correct and I know most swift water rescue teams have at least one...so would these be used in disasters like this one?

Also, I can't imagine the sadness I would feel as a rescuer looking for survivors and only finding victim after victim...I could probably handle the adults, but when it comes to finding children....I don't think I could anymore...I guess the only thing that would keep me going is that there might be one child clinging to a tree/bush somewhere that needed me!

[Paws]

I can make available all day saturday if they need further help. I have my own pack and some medical supplies with all the appropriate trainning for EMS and disaster management. I will offer any aide needed, 501-626-9405

[Lupe]

Latest update says 16 fatalities, with dozens more still missing. I can't believe the magnitude of this.

[Renee H]

Tamara Tate said her husband reported the cabins at the put in for the Upper Little MO and much of the campground was destroyed by the wall of water. Apparently they still haven't launched a downriver rescue yet since the water is still high. This is so sad -

[Lifejacket]

Renee are you still going this after noon?

[jclaudii]

I figured they could drop some of you guys in via helicopter and let yall do the down river search. Man...this is getting so much worse!

[Catman Joe]

Just how many people in the state have the gear, experience and skill to find people clinging to strainers in a flooded river? Police? Fire? National Guard? helicopters?

[Renee H]

Renee are you still going this after noon?

No, when I said I was going earlier today I didn't realize all the search and rescue going on. If they need help, I will go, but it appears they have enough volunteers so I will stay put.

[Renee H]

Just how many people in the state have the gear, experience and skill to find people clinging to strainers in a flooded river? Police? Fire? National Guard? helicopters?

It sounds like they might need rafts instead of the flat bottom boats, they typically use for the downriver search/rescue/recovery.

[jclaudii]

I wonder why the state does not "tap" into this resource and ask for assistance from skilled people from this club?

[Renee H]

I wonder why the state does not "tap" into this resource and ask for assistance from skilled people from this club?

I was just thinking that - some of those still missing are probably along the river banks and they STILL haven't sent anyone downriver from what I understand. It is at a level we normally would paddle, but the search and rescue people think it is too high. They should call upon some of the boaters to help, but I don't think they will let anyone on the river. Or at least that is the word I have heard from the field! I guess they think the experienced paddlers would be an added risk......

[Catman Joe]

Seems to me the problem will be finding people. They will be clinging to branches under the canopy.

[panicman]

looks like it has dropped down to a med. whitewater level already. Paddlers could cover alot of ground real quick.