Serine
A sudden downpour in Sallisaw, Oklahoma, near the Arkansas border, led to the emergency evacuation of approximately 50 children from a local Boys & Girls Club on Tuesday morning.
The flash flood surged through the heart of the town following torrential rains, occurring just days after devastating floods in Texas claimed 120 lives, including 27 young campers and staff.
Floodwaters Infiltrate Town and Club Facility
According to reports, nearly one foot of floodwater rushed into the Boys & Girls Club building within 15 minutes, flooding the facility from beneath the doors.
The severe weather hit while the children were attending summer camp, prompting an immediate emergency response.
“We were monitoring the water levels, but once it started pouring in rapidly, we had no choice but to shut down the Club and evacuate,” said Laura Kuykendall, CEO of the Sequoyah County Boys & Girls Club, in an interview with 40/29 News.
Emergency Evacuation Conducted by First Responders
A coordinated effort between local police, firefighters, and club staff ensured the safe evacuation of all children. Some responders had to carry children on their shoulders through the deep water to bring them to safety.
“The water was too deep for the kids to walk through. Many were crying and frightened. We did everything we could to keep them calm,” Kuykendall added.
The children were escorted to the local fire station, where they were reunited with their families. The emotional toll was intensified by the recent memory of the tragic flooding in Texas’s Kerr County, which occurred on July 4 when the Guadalupe River surged over 20 feet.
Texas Flood Tragedy Casts Shadow Over Oklahoma Incident
The Texas flooding disaster still looms large in the public consciousness. Many of the children evacuated in Sallisaw were reportedly distressed due to media coverage of the Camp Mystic tragedy, where over two dozen campers and counselors were among the 120 confirmed dead.
Rescue teams are still searching for more than 170 missing individuals in Texas, as entire cabins were swept away by the powerful current.
Despite the intensity of the flash flood, all 50 children from the Oklahoma Boys & Girls Club were successfully evacuated and safely returned to their guardians.
The incident underscores the importance of rapid emergency preparedness and the incredible efforts of first responders in safeguarding vulnerable populations during extreme weather events.