Storms flood Northwest Fire with swift water rescues
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Posted 12:08 AM 7/30/2012 : Storms flood Northwest Fire with swift water rescues
TUCSON - A succession of storms brought massive amounts of rain, flooding roadways throughout Tucson and surrounding areas on Sunday.
The torrents made roadways extremely dangerous for motorists, providing emergency crews with one of the busiest days of the monsoon.
Three elderly people attempted to cross a wash in their car on Silverbell Road between Ina and Camino Del Cerro.
Several Northwest firefighters, using ropes and other emergency gear waded out to the car and were able to get the occupants to safety.
A 93 year old woman, had to be carried out on a basket stretcher.
Two people got stuck when they tried to cross a wash in Avra Valley.
Not only did their car fail to escape the raging waters but Northwest firefighters say that because a passenger was wearing a cast from a previous injury he had to be carried from the vehicle.
The Picture Rocks area was also hit hard.
Sandario Road became a parking lot because people in their cars could not get home, leaving a number residents stranded.
With the ground already so saturated there is no where for the water to go and that means that washes fill up even faster.
All told, Northwest Fire made a total of 6 swift water rescues and according to Northwest Fire spokesperson, Captain Adam Goldberg, drivers continue to make bad decisions.
"Somebody is not getting the message", he said, "and the message is pretty simple, if there is running water, do not cross it".
