Boone County firefighters rescue dad, daughter stranded in floodwater

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Boone County firefighters rescued a father and daughter who were stranded on top of a pickup truck in floodwater on Thursday.

The truck was stranded in water at Perche Creek on Akeman Bridge Road north of Columbia, Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp said. Emergency radio traffic indicated the vehicle was almost fully submerged.

They were rescued a little before 2:30 p.m.

Boone County Fire Lt. Ryan Benedict said the truck had been swept about 100 yards off the road. The water was over 3 feet deep when they were rescued.

"It's pretty dangerous whenever you get into floodwater, just because it's extremely unpredictable," Benedict said. "You don't know what's going on on the roadway underneath you. You know, that's why we always advise people not to even walk in flood water, let alone drive in it." 

Franky Zuno, the truck's owner, said firefighters told him the truck could remain there for several days before being towed because of more rain in the forecast.

The flooding occurred after storms dumped inches of rain on Mid-Missouri between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. More storms are expected Thursday night and again Friday.

Check back for updates to this developing story.