Davis helps Kermit’s swift water rescue effort in Garrett

Kermit Volunteer Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team assisted Thursday in Garrett, rescuing 17 people and four of their pets. (Photo courtesy Billy Davis)

BY BRITTNI MCCOY
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN

GARRETT — Martin County High School sophomore Peyton Davis joined the Kermit Volunteer Fire Department Swift Water Rescue Team in search and rescue efforts Thursday in Garrett after historic flooding destroyed the community. The team rescued 17 people and four of their pets. 

Davis’s father Billy Davis received the call from Floyd County for operations in Hindman. After arrival, the six-man team received instructions to go to Garrett, where Estill bottom was completely underwater with 30 people trapped.

“We had to go up 2 miles to get there by boat,” Billy said. “When we arrived only the top floor of two-story houses was all you could see.”

Billy described the scene as “horrific.”

“People were on roofs, hanging out second-story windows, screaming and crying,” he said. “One person was without insulin and had serious medical problems. We had two EMTs on our boat, so we took good care of her.”

In addition to the Davises, the Kermit crew included Wayne Bug Williamson, Matthew Williamson, Zach Speer and Braxton Hinkle.

According to Billy, Kermit has operated over 75 swift water rescues.

“This was by far the worst,” he said. “The whole town was under water.”

Despite a packed basketball schedule with hundreds of miles of travel this week for camps, Peyton’s heart pulled him back home to help his fellow eastern Kentuckians. The rescue was an eye-opening experience for him.

“I was so thankful that I had the ability to help in some way,” Peyton said. “These people lost their homes and some lost their lives. I wish there were more I could do.”

NBC News and Today showed footage of the team working in Garrett.

“I’m glad the Today Show got Wayne Bug’s good side, even though I didn’t know he had one,” joked Billy. 


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