FRIENDSWOOD, Texas – The Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department is warning people about a cold weather hazard.
In the past two weeks, falling water levels in creeks have exposed mud flats leaving them open for people to get stuck in.
"Mud, quicksand; it's kinda similar. The more you try to fight and get out, the deeper you sink," said Captain Dan Key, Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department Supervisor of Day Paid Crew.
Capt. Key says north winds from our recent cold fronts have pushed water out of Clear Creek revealing the mud flats.
In the past two weeks, the Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department and EMS have performed two rescues. They've pulled out a young boy and a woman after they got stuck in the mud.
According to the fire department, the woman went to the creek looking for her lost dog. When she came up to the bank, she spotted him in the mud which was up to his stomach. So decided to jump into the mud to rescue the basset hound, but instead got stuck herself nearly up to her wait.
Luckily, neighbors heard her cries for help.
"The lady was more concerned about her dog than she was about herself," said Key.
The Friendswood Police Department also helped. An officer was able to pull her out with a rope.
A few days later on Dec. 23, an 11-year-old boy hunting for turtles along the bank got stuck in the mud.
Thankfully he was not alone. He had three friends with him. They were able to find city workers who called 911.
By the time he was pulled out, he had been in the mud for at least 40 minutes.
"He was scared, and he was cold. He didn't know if he was going to get out of that mud ever," expressed Key.
Rescuers from both the volunteer fire and police Department worked together to free the boy -- who was stuck up to his waist in mud -- using some rope, a life vest and an ATV.
"Playing along these creek banks can be hazardous because as you can see we are kind of out in the woods here, and there may not be anyone within ear shot."
Firefighters add in the summer it is top of mind for parents to be on alert when the water is high, but they want everyone to be aware of this cold weather danger and know what to do if they find themselves in trouble.
"Try to find something you can hold onto to pull yourself up," explained Key. "Free up a foot or try to crawl out of it instead of trying to step out of the mud."
In the end, no one was hurt during the rescue. Captain Key said the best thing is not to get in at all.