On Monday, Oct. 10, the Chesterfield County Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services was asked by the Virginia Emergency Operation Center to provide State mutual aid to the City of Franklin, Virginia.
Virginia Governor Timothy M. Kaine declared a statewide emergency Monday after areas in central and southeastern Virginia received as much as 12 inches of rain over the weekend.
Franklin was on the heavy-hit end and received up to 12 inches of rain and is dealing with massive flooding.
Lt. Matt Coffin of Chesterfield Fire and EMS said, "The aid is being provided under the provisions set forth in the State Mutual Aid Compact. This is the first mutual aid activation that has occurred since the creation of this compact. In response to this request, Chesterfield deployed two fire officers and four firefighters. Deployed personnel will staff one Franklin fire apparatus and medical unit alongside personnel from the City of Chesapeake-Fire Department. Chesterfield personnel will be operating in Franklin until Saturday morning at 0800 hours. The assistance is being provided in an effort to assist Franklin with their emergency response and recovery efforts."
Flooding was not the only concern officials faced. Franklin Emergency Officials were concerned about a large scale kerosene and gasoline spill into the water from a local fuel distributorship, and a large storage container of peanuts that have gotten wet and could ferment and catch fire.
Over 100 businesses and nearly 50 homes have been flooded. According to the National Weather Service in Wakefield (Va), The Blackwater River crested in Franklin at 22.8 feet. No injuries have been reported and several pets from flooded homes have safely rescued.
Officials are expected to begin conducting damage inspections as the water recedes.
