Two families rescued after storms hit Lake Erling

LAFAYETTE COUNTY, Ark. ( KTAL/KMSS ) – All along the shore of Lake Erling in Lafayette County, Arkansas, trees downed in Sunday night’s storms damaged homes and power lines, but there was plenty of danger on the water as well.

“We received a 911 call last night of a houseboat taking on water,” said Nathan Goynes, a Lake Erling Volunteer Fire Department Captain.

A couple and their dog were anchored in a cove on the lake when the storm hit, and the hull of their houseboat and the motor of their other boat were damaged, stranding them for over an hour.

“The hole in the boat was above the water line. So it wasn’t taking on water. It was getting water whenever the waves were blowing in. So thank goodness it took time to get to them due to all the weather and the trees down,” said Captain Goynes.

Members of the Lake Erling Volunteer Fire Department eventually rescued the victims in a rescue boat and brought them back safely to shore.

“They were excited to see us,” said Captain Goynes.

Back on dry land another family found themselves in the storm’s path.

“The alarm went off saying tornado warning. As soon as the alarm went off, minutes later, the tree fell through the back of the house, pinned my son down on his bed,” said Lafayette County resident Daniel Moore.

He jumped into action and lifted the 9-year-old boy’s roof just enough for his mom to pull him out.

“When I got in there, I didn’t hear my son talking at all. I guess that’s kind of what the adrenaline kicked in, and when I lifted the roof off of him, he was actually hollering God save me. And when we got out, he acted fine like, no bleeding, no bad damage,” said Moore.

The son was checked out at the hospital and had a couple of bruises and a mild concussion.

Another tree fell through the kitchen shortly after they got everyone out of the house.

The family says the house was destroyed, but they feel lucky that everyone made it out alive.

“He acts completely fine. He’s joking and laughing this morning; saying he’s the only person he knows that got a tree fell on him, and he lived through it,” said Moore.

The son says he now calls his dad the Incredible Hulk.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com.