SkyTeam 11 captured footage of the city fire department rescuing several people trapped in a flash flood Tuesday afternoon.
It happened during rush hour near Frankfurst Avenue and Potee Street in south Baltimore.
A downpour, which lasted nearly 30 minutes, turned a stretch of a major highway into a shallow river as high water engulfed several cars.
“We counted at least a dozen vehicles that are involved in this. Some are disabled, some are trapped,” said SkyTeam 11 Capt. Roy Taylor.
SkyTeam 11, Baltimore’s only news helicopter, captured several water rescues, including nine people on an MTA bus. City fire used a Zodiac boat to get them to safety. Although the water wasn’t deep, a boat was the safest way to get them to higher ground.
“A lot of times, you won’t be able to tell how deep the water is. There might be manhole covers or sewer grates that got dislodged. So, those hazards you could fall into or get stuck on,” said Mat Lilli, an emergency vehicle driver.
SkyTeam 11 captured city fire rescuing everyone on board the bus. One of the departments’ Zodiac vessels from special operations in Locust Point became a ferry boat. It was a calculated move.
“How many patients there are, whether the water is moving fast or not. What kind of other dangers are in place. Evacuation routes,” Lilli said.
City fire crews provided instructions on what the rescuees needed to do and kept everyone calm. Emergency crews advised against people testing the current.
“If you find yourself in those situations, we recommend that you stay in your vehicle and wait for somebody to come get you,” Lilli said.
There were no injuries reported.
