Despite numerous public warnings by local authorities in recent days to stay out of the swollen Cuyahoga River in Kent, crews were called out to rescue people from the rough waters multiple times Sunday.
The Kent and Portage County Water Rescue Team put their boats in the Cuyahoga River Sunday morning to rescue two people whose kayaks flipped over in the river's dangerously strong and fast moving currents. This happened near Middlebury Rd.
According to Kent firefighter Scott Simmons, the kayakers hit rapid water, then ran into trees and capsized their kayaks.
Firefighters said those individuals were hanging on for their lives when first responders rescued them in the swift water.
“They got hung up in what we call strainers, which are trees that are in the river, but can actually capsize kayakers,” said Kent firefighter Scott Simmons.