Swift water rescue teams pull stranded drivers and homeowners to safety

Hardin County Sheriff Mark Davis tells KFDM/Fox 4 News swift water rescue teams, deputies, firefighters and other first responders, have rescued people stranded in cars and homes near Village Creek. Davis says they've been busy since early Friday morning, pulling one driver from a car inundated with water, with only six inches of the roof visible. They're using boats to help people leave their homes, now surrounded by water along portions of FM 418 and FM 327 between Silsbee and Kountze. The rescues are underway along Wingfield Drive, east of Lumberton, Old Beaumont Highway and Andover, FM 327 west of Silsbee, and other locations. Village Creek has crested at 27.16 feet Friday morning. As of 10:45 a.m., the level stood at 26.64 feet. The forecast is for the water level to drop to 22.4 feet at 1 a.m. Saturday. Minor flood stage is 12 feet and major flood stage is 23 feet. The water level at Toledo Bend is now above the 172.5 foot mark that triggers water releases. When that happens, all 5 gates are opened one foot, releasing 5,000 cfs.