| On March 9th and 10th, heavy rain storms moved through the Chester County area bringing flooding to many creeks and streams. The Brandywine River is notorious for being one of the fastest rivers to flood in southern Chester County. The river usually flows at an average of 2 feet but will flood at 926 and Pocopson Road at just 9 feet.
On the morning of Friday, March 11, Longwood was dispatched to the area of Fairville Road and Baltimore Pike for the water rescue. Initial reports came from the victim, stating she was stuck in a flooded part of the roadway and was not in a current. Chief 25, Brush 25 pulling Boat 25 and the Rescue Squad all made the response brinding a total 10 volunteers to the scene. Chief 25 arrived and found a Chevy Equinox stuck in approximately 2 feet of water with a woman and small child inside. Chief Engineer Mike Maurer and Firefighter Chirs Bakey donned their specialized rescue dry suits and prepared to make entry into the water. Engineer Paul Dawson and Senior Rescueman Brian McCarthy went to work getting the boat into the water. Once everything was in place, C.E. Maurer and FF Bakey made their way to the vehicle and assisted the victim and her child into the boat. Sr. Rescuman McCarthy and Eng. Dawson remained on the dry part of the roadway and pulled the boat back to shore using a tow line. Once back to dry land, the woman and her child were pulled onto shore and turned over the the MICU crew for evaluation. The crews repacked the boat trailer in preparation for the next rescue.
With spring finally arriving, the area is likely to experience more of these rain storms. The Longwood Fire Company would like to remind everyone of the dangers associated with flooding:
1.) Never drive through a flooded roadway. It might appear as though the water is not that deep, but it only takes 4" of moving water to lift a car completely off the road and sweep it downstream. Even with standing water, there are many hazards that are under the water's surface (i.e. washed out roads, manhole covers removed by flooding etc.) that cannot be seen during a flood.
2.) Do not ignore traffic control devices put in place to warn motorists of flooded roadways. It is always safer to take the longer way home than to risk getting stuck in flood waters.
3.) If you should become stuck in flood waters, call 911 immediately. Provide your location, the type of vehicle you are in, the number of people in the vehicle and whether or not the water is moving.
Stay safe! |
