Family rescued from flash flooding

Fast-rising water stranded a family in a flash flood situation on Roberts Branch Road Friday afternoon.

Jacksboro Fire Department responded and rescued four family members when their vehicle became trapped by swift water.

Fire Chief Jeremy Jennings said the family became stranded on a bridge about an estimated two miles north of FM 2190 while driving on the road.

Jennings said they crossed water and made it onto the bridge, but the water was then too high and moving too fast for the Dodge pickup to move further or back up. 

The fire department responded shortly after 2:30 p.m. but trucks Rescue 1 and Brush 1 were unable to get closer than an estimated mile away from the man, woman, their two young children and dog, Axl.

Firefighters had to find a place to launch the department’s flat-bottom aluminum boat a long distance from the bridge, had to take it out and walk it over land about a half-mile and launch it again in order to reach the family.

Jennings said they tied a line to both ends of the bridge and walked the family off the bridge and into the boat where the rescuers walked alongside the boat in 3- to 4-foot deep water back to the fire trucks.

Dispatch had reported two vehicles were stranded on the road, but responding Jack County deputies and firefighters trying to reach the scene walked the lengths of the flooded roadway from both directions and did not find a second vehicle.

Assistant Fire Chief Jeff Jackson said it was likely that more than one person saw the truck get stranded and called it in.

Emergency personnel responding included seven firefighters, three deputies and Game Warden T.J. Tweedle.