Woman, daughter rescued after driveway flooded
ADAMS TWP — A woman and her daughter were rescued after being trapped in their home by flooding at 146 Downieville Road, according to Adams Area Fire District officers.
The Adams Township Police Department, Adams Area Fire District, Callery Volunteer Fire Department, Quality Ambulance and Butler County Water Rescue Team 300 responded to the incident.
Tyler Cuadrado, captain with Adams Area Fire District, said he got the call around 2:30 p.m. and that the homeowner had reported the driveway was flooded, “landlocking” her and her daughter inside the house. Foot traffic was limited, and she was not able to reach her vehicle.
“Four members were able to take an inflatable raft back to the house to secure the homeowner, her daughter and secure some personal belongings,” Cuadrado said. “As soon as the water recedes, they should be good to go to get back in there.”
Cuadrado said there was no damage to the house itself. He reported this was the first water-related rescue incident that the fire district has had during the current increase in flooding.
“There's been some flooded roadways, but nothing involving people getting stuck,” he said.
The National Weather Service of Pittsburgh initiated a flash flood watch for all of the county around 1:24 a.m. Wednesday as remnants of Hurricane Ida hit the area.
At 7:09 a.m., the southeastern part of Butler County was placed in a flash flood warning.
“Local law enforcement reported heavy rain across the warned area,” the alert said.
The weather service estimated that between 1.5 and 2 inches of rain had fallen as of Wednesday morning, and it predicted about 1 to 2.5 inches of additional rainfall.
The weather service is urging people to be cautious as they travel through the storm.
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads,” the alert said. “Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
The alert encompassed a large portion of southwestern Pennsylvania, with most of the heaviest reports coming from Allegheny County.
A news release from PAcast says several departments had been deployed starting at 8 a.m. Wednesday by the Commonwealth Response Coordination Center to deal with rain and flood emergencies around the state.
Responding departments included environmental protection, general services, health, military and veterans affairs and human services and transportation, in cooperation with the office of the attorney general, state police, Fish and Boat Commission, Public Utility Commission, Turnpike Commission, American Red Cross and Civil Air Patrol.
Randy Padfield, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, said areas particularly vulnerable to flooding are being prioritized by responding departments.
“We have dispatched water rescue teams from parts of the state that will see less flooding and moved them to areas where we expect more significant impacts from the rain and flooding,” Padfield said in the news release. “We now need people to stay off the roads unless travel is necessary. If you must travel, do so safely and be aware that conditions can change quickly.”
Gov. Tom Wolf also said appropriate resident response to the storm is important.
“This is an extremely dangerous storm that is impacting the entire state,” Wolf said in the news release. “As we continue to monitor the conditions, I ask everyone to please stay home if you're able. If you must travel, please monitor the latest road conditions and weather updates.”
