Â鶹´«Ã½

The man and woman, who bought inflatable kayaks recently, saw that water was flowing faster than normal in the river that weaves through Morganton, said James Robinson, director of emergency services for Burke County.

The couple got in the river in their kayaks, but eventually were flipped out of the kayaks, Robinson said.

The man made it to shore and called for help, but the woman continued to float down the river until rescuers were able to reach her.

They both refused to be transported to a hospital, Robinson said.

“They thought they were going to have a leisurely float down the Catawba, but with the recent rains as well as all the debris that you can’t see in the waterway, they found themselves in a compromised position and had to call for help,� he said.

Hurricane Helene debris in WNC waters could be dangerous

Robinson said the rescue should be a warning to anyone who is thinking about getting on the water in western North Carolina this summer after Hurricane Helene made a significant impact on water in Burke County.

“Whether it’s the Johns River, the Catawba River, the Henry River, it doesn’t matter where you are,� Robinson said. “Structures were washed into the waterway so there’s a lot of lumber, a lot of nails, glass, windows, any debris that you would think of that was in a house has been washed down that river, and anything that’s sharp enough to catch your inflatable is going to tear it and pop it.

“But there’s also other things, like two by fours and things, that are under the water that you can’t see.�

The force of the water, especially on the Catawba River when both wheels are on at Bridgewater Dam, can pin someone against hidden dangers like logs, branches and wooden planks, holding people down under the water.

“You can’t get away, no matter if you’re in the best shape of your life, getting away from those, unless you’re trained in how to get away, is very, very difficult,� Robinson said.

First responders are concerned the May 15 incident won’t be an isolated event.

“Our biggest concern as we go into these warmer months, especially as we go into summer, is that the debris that has not yet been cleaned up out of the river, out of our waterways, is going to be detrimental to people’s recreation time,� Robinson said. “So we’re urging people to be very cautious.�

He said all adults should carry a life jacket or personal floatation device . Children should all be wearing life jackets anytime they’re in the water.

“It only takes a minute for them to get away from you and if there’s not something that holds them up in the water, that could be the worst day of your life,� he said.

NC rescuers train in Burke County for water, land searches

Hundreds of rescuers from across the state spent the weekend training in Burke County’s water and conducting land search training in its wilderness. The county partnered with North Carolina Emergency Management for the annual search and rescue training.

“We have a lot of natural resources that other counties may or may not have access to,� Robinson said.

The fast-moving waters near Bridgewater Dam on the upper Catawba River make for good white water rescue practices. As the water slows down, crews practice ferrying flood-like waters and get paddle crafts in the water. On smooth water in the lower Catawba, trainers can hide victims and help rescuers train in victim management.

Robinson said there were as many as 150 people signed up to train in the event over the weekend.

“We’re excited that we’ve got so many participants from around the state that are actively working here in Burke County … to learn and to try out, because as the flood identified when Hurricane Helene came through, all the training in the world needs to be revamped, revisited and (we need to ask) how can we do it better?� Robinson said. “And if we’re not training on that, we’re not improving ourselves every chance we get.�