Over a dozen rescued from Standley Lake after strong wind blows in
DENVER (KDVR) — Westminster fire crews were at Standley Lake Friday after strong winds quickly moved into the area, requiring the rescue of more than a dozen paddleboarders and kayakers.
The agency reported that several paddleboarders needed assistance. Standley Lake rangers and Westminster crews were assessing the scene at 2:26 p.m. and by 2:41 p.m., they said everyone had been helped out of the water.
Getting on the water? Park rangers warn about life jackets, boating impaired
First responders continued to sweep the lake and shore to ensure no one else was in need of help. More than a dozen paddleboarders and kayakers were pulled to shore.
Westminster Fire Department shared that Standley Lake Rangers and the fire department deployed boats to assist with the rescue. Westminster police also responded.
Lisa Funk, her dog and her friend Barb were on the lake in a kayak when the storm rolled in.
“We got the kayak ready and then we got out on the water,” Funk said.
They had made it to the other side of the lake when the weather started to change.
“There was like some wind and then a little bit of rain. And then, we started paddling back to shore and then it just got windier.”
The pair said they were getting pushed toward a rocky levy.
“Just said a prayer and asked that we would stay safe until someone came and rescued us because we couldn’t rescue ourselves,” Funk said, which came in the form of the Standley Lake rangers.
Funk called her husband after the rescue, who had been out for a bike ride that afternoon.
“Lisa called and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh you had to get rescued off the lake?’” Roger Funk said. “I could’ve lost her, our dog, her friend. I mean it’s just terrifying and I’m just so thankful for the rangers that they, they’re on it and they got everybody rescued. It’s incredible.”
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for much of the Denver metro area, including Aurora, Lakewood, Indian Hills and portions of Douglas County. The agency said gusty winds will produce upward of 60 mph gusts, but mostly 50-55 mph gusts across the Denver metro.
Standley Lake is a few miles north of the area where this warning was issued but was included in a weather statement for similar conditions.
Initially, the National Weather Service said no hail was expected with the storm, but as of 2:24 p.m., the agency was warning of possible nickel-sized hail through 3:15 p.m. In its weather bulletin, the agency reported that residents could expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.
This isn’t the first wind-induced water event in recent weeks. On June 2, Poudre Fire Authority rescued two people in the water at Horsetooth Reservoir, citing “incredible winds” that “caused unexpectedly large waves.”
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
