TN Firefighters Rescue Injured Woman Trapped by Flooding

An elderly woman, trapped in her home and surrounded by floodwater, was rescued from her property by members of the Maury County Fire Department.

Chief Eric Hileman told The Daily Herald that the county's volunteer firefighters were dispatched to the home located on Craig Bridge Road on Monday after the woman called for medical assistance.

"She had fallen and became injured," Hileman said.

Her home, located near the banks of the Duck River on Craig Bridge Road was surrounded by flood water, following several days of heavy rainfall. The Duck River was expected to crest on Monday at 40 feet, leaving some surrounding areas submerged.

The fire department's swift water rescue team was dispatched and the injured woman was transported by boat out of the flooded area and then taken to Maury Regional Medical Center by ambulance.

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The woman was not identified by name by the department, but she was described by Hileman as a 94-year-old.

The rescue occurred at about noon Monday.

"We are here to help," Hileman said. "Our firefighters performed a safe rescue and brought her back to shore."

After a series of storms swept through Middle Tennessee last week, Hileman said he has lost track of how many calls for assistance the department has answered in recent days.

"It's been a bunch," Hileman said.

On Sunday, department crews also rescued a man stranded on top of his flooded car in the Duck River.

The chief said many of those calls could have been avoided if drivers had chosen not to attempt and navigate flooded roads.

"A lot of calls we have to respond to because someone has driven through a barricade," Hileman said.

Emergency authorities continue to call on members of the public to stay away from flooded areas whether behind the wheel or on foot.

Even though the rain has ended, authorities in Maury County call on the public to continue following the safety guidelines stressed by local authorities.

Never drive around barricades shutting down a roadway. Even when it appears safe, flooding may have caused an unseen safety problem with the roadway.
Do not drive through flooded areas, even if it looks shallow enough to cross. The large majority of deaths due to flash flooding occur with people driving through flooded areas. Water only a foot deep can displace a 1500-pound vehicle. Two feet of water can easily carry most automobiles.
Do not cross flowing streams of water on foot where water is above your ankles.
Do not allow children to play around streams, drainage ditches or viaducts, storm drains, or other flooded areas.
Be especially cautious at night. It's harder to recognize water danger in low light situations.
Monitor U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) or other weather reporting sources for updated information on flooding.

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