5 people rescued from rising waters of St. John's River in Visalia

VISALIA, Calif. (KFSN) -- A swift water rescue team helped five people stranded on an island by the rising waters of a river in Visalia on Thursday.

The group was rescued from the St. John's River around 4:30 pm near Cutler Park.

Tulare County firefighters used a rope system to pull a boat across the water.

Officials say the people are experiencing homelessness and were living on the island when they were trapped.

They are expected to be okay after the rescue.