March 15, 2016 - Search and rescue operations were a regular thing for emergency personnel this past weekend in the Joaquin area while they were busy on the water transporting people to dry land and away from the dangers of rising waters.
As water levels on the Sabine River have continued to ascend, it has continued to be a nonstop effort of law enforcement and other emergency personnel to increase patrol in the area and come to the aid of those needing help.
Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison issued a mandatory evacuation order on March 10, 2016 for residents of low lying areas of Sabine River and Toledo Bend Lake within Shelby County. Although many did heed this warning, many residents in the Sand Isle Community did not, instead choosing to remain and ride out the event hopeful of a different outcome.
Initial expectations were for the water to crest on Sunday, March 13, but this would not be soon enough for many of the holdouts as the water poured its way into their yards and into their homes by Saturday morning, March 12. Law enforcement officers and volunteer firemen implored residents to evacuate through Friday; however, many stayed and the officers and firemen received the call from dispatchers they were needed to evacuate those who chose to stay.
By late morning on March 12, water had made FM 2572 on the way to Swede Johnson Recreation Area impassable. Texas Department of Public Safety State Trooper Taylor Buster and Game Wardens had shut down the recreational area to incoming traffic and turned people back. Boats were in the water with firemen from the Joaquin Volunteer Fire Department, DeSoto District 1 and Texas Game Wardens traveling the county roads, which much more resembled rivers, in search of anyone trapped in their homes. The emergency personnel, constantly risking their well-being, ferried residents, their belongings and sometimes animals to dry land.
People flocked to the boat ramps in anticipation of seeing the flood waters and in some instances of catching fish or spearing them with an arrow, as some were bow hunters. A man and his sons were located at the Swede Johnson Recreation Area where they were bow hunting along the roadway on FM 2572. Once they were found there, the Game Wardens asked them to leave the area for their own safety.
Shelby County Today was along for the ride as Texas Game Wardens Nathan Skeen and Anthony King traveled the waterway in search of anyone needing help. The game wardens and firemen were met with one individual who refused to go regardless of the promise water would surely overtake what dry land remained on his property and probably his home.
Another man and woman who found themselves on an island, as water had surrounded their home, felt safe from the encroachment of water until it was determined a tug boat which the man was watching over was gone and had quite possibly sunk. This was discovered around 2pm.
Game Warden Skeen and Joaquin Volunteer firemen returned to rescue the couple, as well as their belongings, chickens and dogs. It was determined, as of 7pm that evening, two individuals remained in the Sand Isle Community by their own choice. The water remained high on Sunday and boat traffic along certain areas of the Sabine River was being highly discouraged. Local authorities highly discouraged boat traffic between U.S. Highway 84 boat ramp and Swede Johnson Boat Ramp/Lovick's Landing. With the risk of hazardous wake and wash occurring, boaters were informed they could be held liable, both criminally and civilly for damages incurred.
An Executive Order was issued by the Sabine River Authority on March 13, 2016 closing the Toledo Bend Project to all boat traffic aside from law enforcement and rescuers until further notice.
The law enforcement and emergency crews surely saved the lives of many as they helped to bring individuals to safety from underwater communities.
