Video: First Responders Prepare For Flooding

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI)- We’ve seen the scary scenes of water rescues across the state.

That hasn’t happened in Columbus, but when heavy rain starts to fall, it can be a disastrous for some Columbus neighborhoods that easily flood.

If a flood warning is issued, the Columbus Fire and Rescue team immediately goes out to start checking on residents.

The Columbus Fire and rescue team said the Masonic Neighborhood is usually the first to area flood.

“The masonic neighborhood is the lowest portion next to the Magbee Creek, and the the Magbee creek is a smaller area that fills up a lot faster,” said Columbus Fire and Rescue Captain Wes Mims.

When this area receives heavy rain it can easily flood.

Once that happens, Columbus Fire and Rescue goes to keep a close eye on any rising water.

“Once a warning is issued we do have personnel that kind of goes out into the community and monitor problem spots that are identified before hand and also monitor creek levels to see where we are,” said Mims.

Mims said if the water rises too high, they will then bring in their boats.

“Columbus Fire and Rescue actually has five boats that we run,” said Mims. “We have flat bottom boats, and inflatable boat, and a larger boat that we can run on the river.”

And the fireman already have a plan in place if someone gets stuck inside their house.

“We”ll usually walk a boat in and if it’s manageable, with two people so we’ll have enough room to get people out of their houses,” said Mims. “We can float in shallow water so we’ll take that approach first.”

Mims said the boats are more often than you’d think, especially when it comes to training.

“We do swift water training quite often, diving training, also we run the boats to make sure the batteries are good and the water pumps are all working,” said Mims.

And Mims even has some advice for people who live in flood prone areas.

“It’s good to have a bag prepared with medication and things so they can leave on a moments notice because the water does come up fairly fast,” said Mims.

The water in Columbus hasn’t been that high, but Columbus Fire and Rescue is a part of a Regional response team.

If any other counties are heavily hit, they will get deployed to that area to help.