Rain, Rain, Go Away

On Saturday April 14th, members of the Bedford Fire Department began preparing for a major nor'easter storm to hit the area Sunday night into Monday. Once the flood watches turned to warnings, we knew we were in for it.

The showers started on Sunday morning and gradually continued into heavier and heavier rainfall. At 5:37 p.m., our first call during the storm came in as a commercial alarm at 89 Baldwin Road, Temple Shaara Tefila. Later that night, Engine 110 responded on an additional commercial alarm to 464 South Bedford Road while Engine 108 proceeded to begin a nearly five hour pump out at 4 Hickory Lane.

From midnight into the early hours of Monday morning, the pump out calls started to come in. Between this time, members of the BFD saw from three inches to four feet of water in eight different houses. All three chiefs' cars, as well as Mini Attack 7 and Rescue 44 were utilized to transport pumps and equipment. At 1:16 p.m., members had to drop everything to respond to a submerged car with a person trapped inside on Greenwich Road (at the deepest location pictured below). The victim was removed by our boat without injuries, and the car was towed from the scene.

From afternoon on, members of the BFD continued to respond on over 20 pump outs total, finishing up late Tuesday morning. In many member's and homeowner's opinions, this was the worst flooding they've ever seen in Bedford. The Mianus River rose over its banks in several locations and forced numerous road closures. Remember to obey all signs and barriers put up by our department, they are there for a reason. If you cannot see a roadway because it is covered with water, "don't drown, turn around".