Turkish flood deaths reach more than 20 Published Sept. 9, 2009 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey -- The death toll in Northern Turkey has risen to nearly 30 as flash floods from heavy rain storms continue to hit the area, reports said today. The floods struck in the early morning hours today washing out roads and stranding vehicles in Istanbul and its surrounding areas after two days of torrential rain. In photos released in local media, motorists were shown climbing to the tops of their vehicles to escape the rising water. The government there has dispatched various rescue missions and advised residents to stay in their homes. The amount of rain that has fallen in two days roughly equals what normally falls in six months in the Turkish province, Istanbul Gov. Muammer Guler told the state-run Anatolia News Agency. More rain is forecasted for Thursday. Col. Eric Beene, 39th Air Base Wing commander, has directed a 100 percent accountability recall of all personnel to include geographically separated units and tenants. All units are directed to report their accountability to their Unit Control Centers. Incirlik members planning travel in that area are advised to make other plans for the next several days. "When severe weather or other natural disaster strikes, or our force protection condition changes, it is critical that we be able to account for our people--military, civilian, and dependents--in short order," said Colonel Beene. "For this, supervisors are absolutely critical to our accountability efforts." And while Incirlik is currently dry, rain is expected to hit Saturday, according to the 39th Operations Squadron. For the latest information personnel are directed to use their chain of command or call the Incirlik's Straight Talk Center at 676-7666.