MEDINA COUNTY, Texas — Firefighters and rescue personnel conducted multiple swift-water rescues across Medina County during a busy overnight period as heavy rains caused dangerous flooding conditions throughout the region.
According to Medina County emergency officials, preparations began before the storms arrived as command staff coordinated with members of the Texas Division of Emergency Management and rescue boat teams from Texas A&M Task Force 1 that had been strategically pre-positioned in the area ahead of the severe weather.
The first emergency calls were received around 2:30 a.m. on June 20 when vehicles became trapped in floodwaters near Farm-to-Market Road 1283 and County Road 271.
Firefighters from Station 14 and deputies with the Medina County Sheriff's Office successfully rescued three individuals from the rising water.
While that rescue was underway, crews from Station 60 responded to a separate emergency more than an hour away near County Road 3401, where a vehicle had been swept off the roadway and a victim became stranded in a tree.
Firefighters were able to safely rescue that individual without injury.
Just after 5 a.m., Station 14 was dispatched to another major water rescue at County Road 381 and Farm-to-Market Road 471.
Battalion 10 arrived first and learned that a Precinct 2 maintenance crew placing road barricades had located a stranded motorist standing on top of a vehicle near a power pole.
The victim told rescuers he could not swim and was unsure how much longer he could hold on as floodwaters continued rising.
Authorities said the water level quickly increased, covering the vehicle and rising more than a foot within minutes.
As Battalion 10 assessed the situation and coordinated incoming resources, the victim was swept from the vehicle by the rapidly moving water.
Firefighters from Engine 14 and Medic 12 immediately began searching downstream and were able to establish verbal contact with the victim approximately 100 yards away.
At about the same time, a Texas A&M Task Force 1 rescue boat team based out of the Killeen Fire Department arrived on scene and rapidly deployed personnel to assist.
Rescuers entered the swift-moving water and successfully reached and secured the victim.
The individual sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to a San Antonio-area hospital for treatment.
Emergency officials credited the successful rescue to the coordinated response between local firefighters, law enforcement, county personnel, and state rescue resources.
Officials said the incidents serve as a powerful reminder of the dangers posed by floodwaters, particularly during nighttime hours when water-covered roadways can be difficult to see.
Medina County emergency responders continue urging residents to avoid driving through flooded areas and to delay travel during periods of heavy rain and reduced visibility.
Despite the challenging conditions, all of the rescues concluded with positive outcomes and no fatalities reported.