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Rescue Overview |
Lamar Blvd | Brushy
Creek
- "Central
Texas cleans up after blustery storm Businesses, residents assess
damage after strong winds batter communities." Austin-American
Statesman. May 22, 2001 by Robert W. Gee and Monica Polanco.
- Two police officers were rescued
in South Austin after being swept off of a William Cannon bridge
into Onion Creek shortly before 9 p.m. While trying to rescue
one of the officers clinging to a tree, two firefighters were
flipped out of their boat on the creek. Luckily, they were able
to give the officer a life jacket before the boat overturned.
All 3 were able to make it out of the water safely. The other
officer, also clinging to a tree, was rescued by about 10 p.m.
Source: Statesman article, "Dry spots difficult to find
in Central Texas", November 16, 2001.
For rescue details, see the APD paper memo dated December 7,
2001 from Lt. Julie O'Brien.
- Emergency workers went door to door in
the Timber Creek neighborhood to evacuate residents. Some refused,
even though the neighborhood has a history of flooding. Then,
when the creek turned into a broad river, about 50 people had
to be rescued by truck, boat or helicopter.
Source: Statesman article "Storm deaths climb to 9",
November 17, 2001.
- Littel Noopin Simcoe, 50, was one of the
Timber Creek people that refused to evacuate. When she realized
she was in trouble, she drove long nails into her pecan tree
and climbed up about 7 feet. She was stuck up there until 2
a.m. because rescuers that flew by in a helicopter couldn't
see her.
Source: Statesman article "Storm deaths climb to 9",
November 17, 2001.
- Cathy Carter and her family also refused
to evacuate Timber Creek. Later, when water was waist-high in
their yard, they welcomed a rope offered by a rescue crew in
a truck. "We're on the highest ground, and we usually never
flood," Carter said. "It was scary. I was crying.
My kids were crying."
Source: Statesman article "Storm deaths climb to 9",
November 17, 2001.
- Ken Proffitt, 74, was rescued after
his pickup became stuck in Flat Rock Creek. He was pulled from
his truck by LCRA workers and then a STAR flight helicopter
crew carried him a short distance. "I've never been so
embarrassed," said Proffitt, as Spicewood Volunteer Fire
Department volunteer firefighters and paramedics joshed with
him about losing his britches as he waded out with rescuers
through fast-moving waters.
Source: Statesman article "Storms gave rescue workers no
time to rest", November 16, 2001.
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