National Guard Helicopters Help Cattle Stranded By Flood Waters

Rescuers resort to extreme measure to save lives after parts of the state received flooding rains last week.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture and the Oklahoma Army National Guard activated a rescue operation on a ranch a few miles east of Bowlegs, Tuesday.

"I didn't know what to do," said Larry LeRay.

LeRay says he waited four days for flood waters to subside.

"I've never seen the river stay up this long."

At least 100 head of LeRay's cattle moved to higher ground when heavy rains flooded a river on the 400 acre ranch, May 6. The herd has been without food since then. Desperate for help, LeRay called the Department of Agriculture.

"They came out yesterday and looked at the dilemma we were in and it was a big one," said LeRay.

The situation is not yet a dire one, but Chief Investigative Agent Jerry Flowers wanted to find a solution before the next round of storms hit the state.

"This water is going to continue to go up and the lives of the cattle are obviously in jeopardy in a situation like this," said Flower

Flowers initiated an emergency response and some of Oklahoma's finest stepped up to help.

"We had to get feed to them to make sure they're going to be okay until this water at some point goes down enough so these cattle can cross back to dry ground," said Flowers.

The Oklahoma Army National Guard load a Chinook and dropped 12 bales of hay and 12 sacks of feed to the cattle, Tuesday.

LeRay says he couldn't be more grateful for the help saving his livelihood.

"They are doing good now,” LeRay cried. “I appreciate, believe me, all the help I have been given.”