Guymon Fire Department Swift Water Team Responds Locally

It is hard to imagine how dangerous fast moving water can occur and how quickly it can turn deep, but that is exactly what happened in Guymon and the surrounding area of Texas County early Wednesday morning.
Starting Tuesday night at near 10:30pm, Guymon Fire Department was requested by City Street Department to assist with early flooding conditions on Main Street. “We assisted in blocking and keeping vehicles from pushing water into downtown business”, Guymon Fire Chief Grant Wadley said. The more rain that fell and indication amounts will be turning serious to critical the Swift Water team and members were activated. Immediately 6 Fire units from Guymon deployed throughout the town. Firefighters began driving streets and highways getting people out of vehicles and homes. Swift Water team with boats then responded to locations where water was too deep, dangerous, or fast moving was involved.
Guymon Firefighters, Guymon Police Officers, Texas County Deputies, and Guymon Street Department personnel rescued an estimated 50-60 people from the waters Wednesday in the early morning hours. Guymon Swift Water team with rescue boats were dispatched to 8 separate locations and rescued 24 people, several pets, and 3 horses. Water rescues and assistance is still ongoing as of Thursday afternoon.
This type and amount of flooding is rare and has not been seen to this extent in possibly over 50+ years. It’s important to know these safety measures;
• Stay informed; listen to local radios and TV stations
• Get to Higher Ground
• Obey Evacuation Orders from Officials
• Practice Electrical Safety: Don’t go into basements, or any room if water covers the electrical outlets or if electric cords are submerged
• Avoid flood waters, Don’t walk through flood waters
• Do NOT drive into flooded roadways or around barricades. “Turn Around; Don’t Drown”