Mo. guardsmen, patrol officers rescued from floodway

Published 11:58 am Friday, May 6, 2011

WYATT, Mo. (AP) — The Missouri National Guard and Missouri State Highway Patrol have performed countless water rescues during the flood of 2011. But late Thursday and early Friday, many of the soldiers and officers found themselves in need of rescue.

Thirty-three soldiers and some patrol members in six boats became stuck in a low-water spot while patrolling near where the Birds Point levee was intentionally breached on Monday in southeast Missouri to relieve pressure on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

The Guard says no one was in in any significant danger. About half were rescued Thursday before dark. When darkness fell, provisions were dropped in so the others could stay overnight on the levee. They were rescued Friday morning.