Nov. 20, 2003
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Chris Ellis
304-558-2288, ext. 346
cellis@callwva.com

Whitewater rafting employees answer call to rescue flood victims

CHARLESTON -- Whitewater rafting guides, who are experts at swift water rescue techniques, on Wednesday evening used their skills to help save a number of southern West Virginia residents from surging floodwaters.

After learning of the rising water danger in Summers, Greenbrier, Fayette and Nicholas counties, West Virginia Office of Emergency Services Director Stephen Kappa contacted Sgt. Larry Case, a conservation officer for the West Virginia
Division of Natural Resources and a certified instructor in swift water rescue, for assistance. Case rounded up teams of swift water rescue instructors and whitewater rafting guides and dispatched them to Hinton, Rainelle, Richwood and Mt. Hope.

Members of those teams assisted local emergency crews and helped rescue stranded residents unable to leave their flooded homes, particularly in the Rainelle area, Case said. This was not the first time whitewater rafting guides have been called to use their lifesaving skills when the rivers they normally ride for fun rise
out of their banks, said Lt. Col Bill Daniel with the Law Enforcement Section of the West Virginia DNR. DNR regulates the state's rafting industry.

"We are fortunate to have these highly trained guides in our rafting industry," Daniel said. "We are saddened by the damage the floods have caused, but the toll could have been worse without their expertise and willingness to put themselves in danger to help others."

In early July 2001, Fayette County suffered severe flash flooding when sudden, intense rain transformed peaceful streams into raging rivers that destroyed roads, bridges and homes in their paths. Fayette County is home to many of the state's rafting outfitters, who were called on then to use their equipment and
skills to rescue area residents from floodwaters. Raft guides used whitewater boats normally used for commercial trips to transport people from flooded homes to safety when traditional rescue vehicles could not reach them.

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