Crime & Safety
Rescued! Driver Saved From Flooded Road
With the rain, came flooding. And the flooding made some roads treacherous. Just ask this driver who had to be rescued.
The National Weather Service's Portland office had issued flood warnings for the area, saying all the rain over the past few days mixed with snow melt from the warmer weather could cause flooding.
Thursday afternoon that prediction rang true for one driver in Forest Grove who had to be rescued from his SUV.
Around 1 p.m. firefighters responded to a call that there was a vehicle stuck in flood waters on Southwest Fern Hill Road near Taylor Way.
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They found the SUV leaning into a ditch in three feet of water.
The firefighters sent a rescue boat toward the SUV. it was only a matter of minutes but by the time that they traveled the 500 yards to the vehicle, it was completely underwater.
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It had fallen into the ditch, which was about 10 feet deep.
The driver was standing on top of his SUV when the rescue boat arrived.
Firefighters evaluated him and determined he wan't injured.
Police then evaluated the driver and cited him for driving through a closed roadway.
The SUV will remain where it is - under water - until the water recedes and it is safe for a tow company to retrieve it.
Officials say that it's important that when approaching a potentially flooded area, remember one thing: Turn Around, Don't Drown.
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Photo courtesy Forest Grove Fire
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