Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Team

Our Swiftwater and Flood Rescue Team responds to swiftwater rescues, high water evacuations, flood rescues, searches for missing persons in water-related incidents, and ice rescues in Avery and surrounding counties. The county’s high peaks, from the Yellow Mountains along the Tennessee line to Grandfather Mountain, can quickly flood our rivers and lakes during mountain storms and threaten life and property. Our rivers descend into the French Broad, Catawba, and Tennessee River sheds, as well as into the Wilson Creek Wild and Scenic River Area and the Linville Gorge Wilderness. We train regularly to maintain a high state of readiness to protect residents and visitors to our area. We gratefully acknowledge the Duke Power Weather Resiliency Program for its assistance and support of our efforts.