Rain, Rain, and More Rain

They say "when it rains, it pours", and pour it did. The first round of heavy precipitation brought about 4 inches to the region Sunday March 6th in Monday March 7th. The rains not only melted the remainder of the pre-existing snow pack, but also overwhelmed many drains and culverts, creating flooding conditions on roads across Bedford. In less than 24 hours, the BFD responded to multiple pump outs on Hickory Lane, Pound Ridge Road, Bayberry Lane, Bishop Road, Long Ridge Road, Dogwood Road, Bedford Center Road, Pleasant Street, The Farms Road, and Appleby Drive.

Some basements had several feet of water, and many had compromised electrical and oil burner systems. A Dogwood Road resident had a ruptured heating oil tank, which led to hazardous conditions, and required a response from the WCDES Hazmat Team, as well as the Department of Health. Three motorists also drove past barricades into high waters on Greenwich Road by Millbrook Road, and had to be extracted by Bedford Fire Department personnel. In this period, 12 pump outs were handled, as well as two water rescues, a police traffic assist, commercial fire alarm, and an EMS call (17 calls total).

PART TWO

As if Monday wasn't bad enough, more rains inundated the area Thursday March 10th into Friday March 11th, which resulted in a full day-full department response from the BFD. This resulted in an additional 6 basement pump outs, a residential alarm, and EMS call. Members also assisted at an exposed in-ground propane tank, a working Con-Edison electrical vault fire, and three more water rescues of motorists who had driven past the barricades at Greenwich Road and Millbrook Road (same location as earlier in the week).

In this period an additional 13 calls were handled.

Even in a short amount of time, water can back up and flood a roadway. Please remember that you should never drive through water that covers or conceals the roadway. More importantly, remember that although an inconvenience, "road closed" or "road flooded" barricades and caution tape should always be obeyed. To keep yourself and others safe, take the time to think, turn around, and find an alternate route.