Mom Rescued From Washington Blvd. Flooding: 'I Can't Believe Water Can Come Up That Fast'
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- First responders rescued a woman and her three kids after their car was swallowed by floodwaters on Washington Boulevard Sunday night.
Mary Hiles and her children were returning home to Butler County after a day at Kennywood. Their route home took them onto Washington Boulevard.
"It was like a dam opened up and unleashed all of its water at once," said Hiles.
On a street known for deadly flooding, Hiles and her kids were trapped in their car with the water rising around them quickly.
"You just think, you know, you need to get out, but how do you do it, I guess?" Hiles said.
Hiles stuck her head out of the window and yelled for help. She was told a boat was coming, but then a rescuer made the move to save the family.
"I think, at that point, he realized the water was up so high," said Hiles. "Before I knew it, he was at my window, and he said you can walk in this, and opened the doors, and we just kind of made it to safety after that."
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The floodgates never activated and Hiles had no idea she would be swept away by rising floodwaters. She could only watch as her car and other vehicles were swallowed by the waters.
"Slowly, the car disappeared under the water and I can't believe water can come up that fast," Hiles said.
Hiles said she tried to warn other drivers to turn around and avoid the floodwaters as she got stuck.