3 rescued from Arkansas River as flood warning continues in Hutchinson

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - The Hutchinson Fire Department responded to a water rescue around 2:30 p.m. on Monday. Three people were reportedly stranded in the Arkansas River, behind Hobart-Detter field at Carey Park.

Crews arrived on the scene to find the people holding onto a tree in the middle of the river.

“The water level has risen significantly and the current is very swift,” said HFD.

The HFD water rescue team launched its boat and a three-man team upriver from the stranded people. They were able to bring the stranded people back upstream, where they were taken to an access point and treated by Reno County EMS.

The HFD said the rescue was completed in about 30 minutes. No first responders were hurt.

“HFD would like to remind everyone to be extra safe. We are currently in a flood warning,” said the HFD in a release. “Never drive through water covered roads, river currents are swifter than usual, and the river edges are soft.”

As of 4:30 p.m., Reno County Emergency Management said several roads remained closed due to flooding.

Those include:

• 95th Dean to Wilson
• 69th Wilson to Pennington
• 50th Wilson to Pennington
• 43rd Pennington to Hendricks
• Salle 82nd to 108th
• Wilson 69th to 82nd
• Pennington 50th to Nickerson Blvd