Thirteen people have been rescued from two separate caves after torrential rain sparked flash flooding which left the group trapped underground.
First responders said fast-moving water throughout parts of Jackson County, Alabama, US, hampered rescue efforts on Sunday, but that the group were later removed from Tumbling Rock Cave.
“It was kind of like a perfect storm,” said Carrie Jones, with Huntsville Cave Rescue Squad. “Just the amount of water that came down as quickly as it did was what caused conditions to become treacherous.”
As the downpours came quickly, water inside the cave rose and blocked the entrance, Jackson County Sheriff Rocky Harnen said.
The group were caught off guard by how much rain fell, Harnen added. “They just didn’t think it was going to be as bad as it was, none of us did,” he said.
Special equipment was deployed to access the cave, which had water spurting from its entrance as the surrounding area flooded.
Inside, the cavers used one low beam light and found a ledge above the water where they were storing food and water.
Rescuers ran a line into the cave and the group were able to crawl, climb and swim to safety.
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