Gulfport Fire, Cajun Navy team up for rescue efforts during Biloxi River flooding
HARRISON COUNTY, Miss. (WXXV)- As floodwaters surged along the Biloxi River after Thursday’s relentless rain, a race against rising water took hold across Gulfport.
First responders weren’t alone. Gulfport fire crews teamed up with Cajun Navy 2016, launching daring rescues to pull stranded residents, visitors, and pets out of dangerous situations.
WXXV News 25’s Everett Ganier Jr. shows us how that turned into a life saving effort when every second counted.
Flood rescue crews spent hours navigating high water and swift currents along the Biloxi River after Thursday’s flooding left neighborhoods cut off and residents stranded.
The Gulfport Fire Department teamed up with Cajun Navy 2016 volunteers to carry out multiple rescues as conditions quickly deteriorated.
Among those rescued were members of a youth baseball team from Fort Worth, Texas. They became stranded while visiting the Gulf Coast for a World Series tournament.
Crews also pulled a kayaker to safety after his vessel became pinned against an elevated home in fast moving floodwaters. Rescuers got him out without injury. Lt. Mickey Sheppard with Gulfport Fire said, “On Thursday morning we got a call that there was a stranded baseball team and we partnered with the Cajun Navy. They were there before us, we were doing some other rescues at the time, we got with them and assisted them with some of the recovery. Getting them out of the house and back to dry ground. I worked with them multiple times before. This was a really great encounter with them because a lot of times we are working side by side with them but we’re not really working with them. This time we got to assist and help with getting the victims from the flooded home back to dry ground. It was a great experience working with them and we appreciate their efforts coming down and helping us out with that.”
The rescues turned into a full team effort, with firefighters, volunteers, and emergency crews working side by side to reach those in danger.
Even as waters recede, officials warn the risk isn’t over. They urge residents to stay clear of damaged property and lingering hazards. “We all know South Mississippi is no stranger to devastation or anything. What’s great about this state is the fact that your neighbors are always willing to help and I think that everybody’s kind of got each other’s back down here. And just going forward here with the recovery, you’re not alone. You’ve got many people around here that’s rooting for you, that can help out in anyway. I’m sure some recovery efforts are going to come up as far as any kind of donations or anything coming up in the future. Luckily, we did not have any type of fatalities around here which is excellent. You know, that’s a win for any type of disaster like this. So, everybody made it out with no fatalities, as far as in Gulfport, we have none.”
While emergency operations have ceased, recovery efforts are beginning. First responders continue assessing damage and assisting affected residents as communities recover.
