2:27 a.m. – Behind the KIA dealership
Members of the Bloomington Police Department, and the Bloomington Fire Department rescued to people in a tent experiencing homelessness in floodwaters near the KIA dealership along Clear Creek overnight in the 2100 block of South Walnut Street.
As flash flooding caused flooding in parts of the Bloomington area a police dispatcher received a call around 2:27 a.m. that water was rising, and the subjects could not get out of the area. Fire rescue was dispatched a couple minutes later, and emergency began trying to locate the subjects.
A woman was about 200 feet out into the water flicking a lighter when firefighters arrived, and she was rescued about 30 minutes later. However, emergency workers, including firefighters from Engine 1 and Engine 5, with the County Dive Team, continued rescue efforts.
Two rescuers, with the aid of a boat, rescued two subjects using a rope system to traverse the boat across the water, and belay the rescuers, according to the Bloomington Fire Department. When the rescuers arrived at the location of the victims, the rescuers evaluated them for injuries, and the ability to follow directions, said the fire department. Then both were placed in a personal floatation device and rescue helmet, and brought across the river in the boat. Members of IU Health ambulance service evaluated the victims, who then denied treatment/transport, according to the BFD.
Rescuers washed down equipment at the scene, and returned to service, said the fire department.
“While we are preparing for and planning to help the community during the COVID-19 emergency, our normal emergencies do not stop. We are still serving our community with pride and professionalism,” said Bloomington Fire Department Chief Jason Moore.
“We are proud of our crews that responded and successfully rescued two people. We also want to thank the other responders who helped,” said Moore.
3:36 a.m. – Bridge on Dillman Road over creek
A man reported being stuck in his vehicle with water entering the vehicle on Dillman Road with a car 20 feet into the water on the highway side near the bridge. Monroe Fire Protection District began a swift water rescue.
“Crews from Station 11 and 21 responded to W. Dillman Rd around 3:30 this morning for a car stuck in the water. Firefighters rigged up harnesses and safety rope and were able to get to the car and rescue the driver and his dog,” according to the MFPD’s Facebook page.
Others were stuck in the water in Greene, and Bartholomew counties. On Ind. 43 motorists were stuck in the water in areas that typically flood. A member of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department could be heard in radio traffic talking about a road being washed out, but The Bloomingtonian is unaware of the location. Please exercise caution.
If more information becomes available, this story will be updated.
