Kayaker spends night trapped on rock after being caught in flood water in Northeast Alabama
By Leada Gore | lgore@al.com
DeKalb County, AL
Emergency crews spent Friday night rescuing a stranded kayaker in DeKalb County. (file photo)
A kayaker was rescued Saturday morning after being trapped overnight by flood waters in DeKalb County.
Michael Posey with the DeKalb County Emergency Management Agency said the man appeared to be in good physical shape after being rescued around 4 a.m. Saturday.
The man went kayaking in the flooded Eberhart Point Trail parking lot Friday night before being trapped by high water. Eberhart Point Trail leads down into the Little River Canyon, a popular spot for kayakers and other water enthusiasts. According to the National Park Service, kayaking in the canyon under normal conditions is rated difficult and is only recommended for experienced paddlers.
The kayaker, whose name has not been released, spent the night atop a rock in the water as emergency personnel worked to rescue him. Another man who was also kayaking was rescued from the river bank.
Along with much of Alabama, DeKalb County experienced severe flooding Friday as waves of rain rolled through the state. Posey said road conditions were improving in the county as of Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Huntsville, DeKalb County remains under a flood warning until 1:15 p.m. and rivers and streams will be slow to recede.