Boats and horses gave livestock worker Pete Brewer and his team a way to reach stranded cattle near Arcadia, Fla. They brought the nearly submerged animals to safety.
Some animals were in water six or seven feet deep, leaving the crew little time to act.
Here's what to know
Brewer and his crew rescued 16 cows, a donkey, and three goats near Charlie Creek as flooding on the Peace River reached major flood stage, according to WINK News. All 20 animals survived.
Only the animals' necks remained above water when Brewer's crew arrived, he said. The property owners, who were away in Miami, had called him for help with their stranded cattle.
The operation took two days. On the second day, crew members on horseback roped the animals and pulled them out. Boats let the team herd the livestock together the day before.
More background
The Peace River crested at a dry-season peak of 16.5 feet despite no hurricane. The riverside community remained flooded after the livestock reached safety.
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While Brewer was used to similar flooding, it was unusual to have high water along the river without a hurricane.
"Not without a storm, because this wasn't really a storm. It was just regular thunderstorms," he said.
Development across Florida concerned neighbor Bobby Fussell, who said it was directing runoff into rivers and creeks and causing them to overflow. To him, the flooding he had witnessed had changed.
What can be done?
A flood forecast — not water already surrounding homes and livestock — should be the cue to prepare, Brewer urged.
"They start telling you that you need to start making plans. You need to start making plans. Just get out when they tell you to get out," Brewer said.
"If we hadn't got them that night? They would have drowned," he told WINK.
Where can I learn more?
Other Florida communities have faced rising water and storm threats that put animals and neighborhoods at risk. These stories follow animal rescues, a flooded wildlife sanctuary, riverfront residents, and crews clearing canals.
• In Florida, a 24-hour trip moved 22 shelter dogs out of Hurricane Isaias' path.
• A Florida wildlife sanctuary was swamped after heavy rain, while residents said drainage calls went unanswered.
• In Florida, firefighters rescued a red-shouldered hawk from a flooded storm drain; he's expected to recover.
• Florida flood crews pulled debris from canals, including coolers, toys, and softballs, as waters stayed high.
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