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Searcy Fire Dept Rescue Team on standby in case of flash flooding

"We try to keep all of our equipment ready in case someone does decide to risk it," Searcy Fire Department Lieutenant said.

SEARCY, Ark. — With a flash flood warning issued for almost half the state, crews around Arkansas are on-call for any emergency people might find themselves in. 

The Searcy Fire Department is already beginning to prepare for the potential flooding. 

Light drizzles fell over Searcy for most of the day on Sunday afternoon as remnants of Barry slowly moved towards the city. 

Lieutenant Bryon Jones of the Searcy Fire Department said its Special Operations and Rescue Team trains about 5 months out of the year for these exact types of situations that Mother Nature brings Arkansas' way. 

"We're trying to be prepared at any time," he said.

RELATED: Barry is now a tropical depression | Latest weather updates for Arkansas

Jones said the Special Operations and Rescue Team specializes in four different types of rescues— one of those being swift water. 

"It's not uncommon for us to have that with the Little Red River here and other smaller bodies of water that we have flood," he said. 

Jones said the crew is made up of 15 members who can take on any and every type of water. 

"Our team is trained to a technician level, which is more actually getting in the water and performing rescues and, of course, our equipment allows us to do that as well," he said. 

Some of their equipment includes water suits, special life vests, and aluminum and inflatable boats.

"We try to keep all of our equipment ready in case someone does decide to risk it," Jones said. 

He said the team is staying vigilant, especially in areas with creeks and rivers surrounding homes. 

RELATED: City of Conway prepares in advance for possible flooding brought by Barry

One of those homes belonging to Marvin Wilson, who has lived by Panther Creek for 5 years. 

"Well I don't worry about it, if we can't get it out we don't get out and go to town. It's just that simple," Wilson said. 

He said sometimes the water gets high under the hill beside his house, but with the storm headed this way worried is not an emotion he is feeling. 

"What comes, comes and what goes, goes and we just go with the flow," Wilson said. 

Lieutenant Jones said he can't emphasize how important the "turn around or drown" rule is. 

He said even if the water doesn't seem that high if you can't see the road its best to look for an alternative route. 

Jones also wanted to remind everyone it only takes 6 inches of water to sweep a vehicle and 12 inches to cause it to float.

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