Crime & Safety

Newark Fire Crews Rescue Dozens Of Flood Victims (PHOTOS)

Newark fire crews rowed, rowed, rowed their boats and rescued 29 people after floods trapped them in their cars.

NEWARK, NJ — When severe flooding trapped dozens of Newark residents during last week’s storm, it wasn’t the sirens of a firetruck that they found themselves cheering for. It was the sloshing of a paddle.

Newark firefighters rescued 29 people - mainly in the city’s East Ward – from flooding caused by heavy rain on Friday, authorities reported. Using a Zodiac rescue craft and an amphibious track vehicle, fire rescue crews and OEM teams came to the aid of several individuals trapped in their vehicles during the storm.

Firefighters also performed several searches of abandoned vehicles during their rescue efforts, authorities stated.

Find out what's happening in Newarkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

According to Newark authorities, the rescue efforts included:

  • NFD rescued two men and a woman from three different vehicles at Avenue I and Backus Street
  • Four men and two women were rescued from three vehicles on Raymond Boulevard and Doremus Avenue
  • Four men were rescued from one vehicle near Magazine and Paris streets
  • Six men and two women were rescued from the 300 block of Wilson Avenue from five vehicles
  • A woman and child in the 300 block of Wilson Avenue were rescued from her workplace
  • Two women, a man and an infant were rescued from three vehicles at Roanoke and Foundry streets near Avenue P
  • Two men were rescued from one vehicle at Avenue P near Roanoke

Find out what's happening in Newarkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photos: Newark Public Safety Department

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