Flooding Leads To Numerous Rescues In Chester County
By Jenn Bernstein
WEST BRADFORD, Pa. (CBS) -- A man desperately clung on to the roof of his car, as rescue crews worked to help him in the West Branch of Brandywine Creek Thursday morning.
"His car was swept about 100 yards downstream into a tree," said West Bradford Deputy Fire Chief Jim Fairweather.
The West Chester Fame Fire Company Rescue Unit put on suits and waded into the cold, rushing water to save the man.
He'd been delivering newspapers and drove into the high water.
"As far as we know, he was at least there for an hour before we got there," said Fairweather.
This was one of four rescues the West Bradford Fire Department responded to Thursday morning.
In East Bradford, several homes were evacuated on Cottage Lane from rising creek water.
We're told five adults and two dogs were saved. Two of the adults had to be taken to Chester County Hospital for observation.
A line of tree debris followed Route 322 near Shadyside Road.
A clear mark of just how far waters of the swollen Brandywine Creek reached after significant flooding.
The water still moved swiftly in the morning, as it receded.
Firefighters were able to open up roads.
The Creek's peak crest hit 16 feet, flood level is at nine, which means this was the third highest crest on record, according to the National Weather Service.
It even beats out flood levels reached during Hurricane Irene in 2011.
While conditions are expected to improve, Chester County officials are reminding everyone to not drive through flooded roadways.
Chester County officials say it only takes one foot of moving water to lift your tires off the ground.
As a result of the dramatic flooding, the Chester County Health Department along with the Department of Emergency Services put together a Flood Resource Guide to help residents who are affected by the flooding. For more information, click here.