Falmouth, Va. –– Waters in the Rappahannock River unexpectedly rose quickly Sunday afternoon, prompting the rescue of 18 stranded kayakers and their dogs near Falmouth.
Rescue crews were called at 2:44 p.m. to the Falmouth Bridge, which links Stafford County and Fredericksburg via U.S. 1, when nearby kayakers and four dogs became stranded on the river.
Slide show: KJ Mushung and Stafford County Fire and Rescue Department
Crews from at least seven fire stations and a U.S. Park Police helicopter were able to rescue the stranded kayakers and the animals, said Stafford fire and rescue spokesman Mark Doyle.
Water levels were so high officials closed Falmouth River Front Park along the banks of the Rappahannock, a popular place for people to fish, wade and swim in the tidal river.
Locations upstream in Culpeper on Saturday night received 7.9 inches of rain during a storm, stranding motorists there and closing thoroughfares.
The water eventually had to come downstream into Stafford County, officials said.
No injured were reported.
