photo by Chattanooga Fire Department
photo by Chattanooga Fire Department
photo by Chattanooga Fire Department
Water rescues happened on Thursday in a flooded creek near the intersection of Quinn Adams Street and East 42nd Street. Several people and multiple animals were trapped by rising waters in a large homeless encampment around 12 p.m.
Chattanooga Fire responded with its Swiftwater Rescue Team. Firefighters were in the flood waters for hours searching individual camps and bringing people and their pets out on boats.
Five people walked out of the flood waters on the Workman Road side of the flooded creek. Chattanooga firefighters rescued 10 people and 14 dogs by boat on the other side off of Quinn Adams.
Many agencies assisted the CFD in this operation including Hamilton County EMS, CPD, McKamey Animal Center, the Hamilton County Health Department and officials with the city’s Office of Homeless & Supportive Housing.
For safety reasons, the CFD will be denying any further entry back into this floodplain area because water levels will continue to rise with approaching rainfall.
CFD units on scene are Squad 1, Engine 1, Engine 14, Squad 13, Battalion 1, Battalion 3, Special Operations, Drone Unit and command staff.