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First responders rescue Whitley County residents trapped in floodwaters

Posted at 6:50 PM, Feb 08, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-08 19:27:30-05

WHITLEY COUNTY, Ky. (LEX 18) — Since flood waters swept through Whitley County earlier this week, more than a dozen people have been rescued from their flooded homes and cars, according to emergency officials.

Whitley County Emergency Management Director Danny Moses, alongside local fire departments, has been working around the clock to keep those people safe.

"Seriously, it's been nonstop," Moses said. "You get through one rescue, you've got another."

On Saturday, LEX 18 reporter Kristen Edwards captured the moment when the Woodbine Volunteer Fire Search and Rescue Team used their boat to rescue two dogs who were trapped at their owner's flooded home.

"We were wading out of here yesterday above knee high waters," the dogs' owner, Laura Ball, said. "We had him and he jumped out of our arms and went back to the porch and we couldn't get him out."

Whitley County Sheriff, Todd Shelley, has also helped out by rescuing two elderly folks from their home, which was surrounded by floodwaters.

Soon, homeowners will start focusing on rebuilding. Moses said he has already started to conduct damage assessments.

Governor Andy Beshear declared a state of emergency for many counties, including Whitley, because of the flooding.