By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Two children were reported uninjured after they fell into a flooded culvert during heavy rainfall on Aug. 18, prompting a search by the Alabaster police and fire departments.

At about 4:20 p.m., the Alabaster Fire Department responded to the area of Shalimar Circle and Pebble Lane after they received a report two children – A girl about 10 years old and a boy about 6 years old – had fallen into a drainage culvert near the neighborhood.

“Minutes later, AFD arrived on scene and found the culvert completely filled with fast moving water and no signs of the reported missing children,” read an AFD Facebook post.

When they were unable to find the children, AFD and the Alabaster Police Department began canvassing the area in search of the children.

“Some time later, the children and a parent approached an APD officer and confirmed they were the reported missing children,” read the AFD post. “As the two children were being carried away by the water, they were able to grab a limb and remove themselves. The children were evaluated by paramedics on-scene and released to their parent with only minor scrapes.”

Alabaster firefighters said the children were fortunate to be uninjured in the incident, and encouraged people to always avoid rapidly moving water.

“While all of us are very thankful for this outcome, it is important to recognize this result is highly atypical. Flash floods can cause culverts to fill extremely fast,” read the post. “In these cases, the water is moving much quicker than it appears and with tremendous force; this is very dangerous! NEVER play, swim, or attempt to walk through culverts filled with water.”

In addition to the AFD and APD, Alabaster City Schools, the Calera Fire Department and Regional Paramedical Services helped with the incident.