Watch: Connecticut Firefighters rescue 19 people, dog from 'life-threatening' floods
OXFORD, Conn. - Firefighters safely rescued 19 people and a dog from raging floodwaters Sunday evening in southwestern Connecticut during a Flash Flood Emergency.
The state experienced widespread and catastrophic flooding across Fairfield and New Haven counties, which caused numerous water rescues, several mudslides and a major gas leak. Thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall dropped nearly 10 inches of rain in the hardest-hit areas of the state, with rainfall rates between 1 and 2 inches per hour.
Top rain totals. (FOX Weather)
Ambulances from Beacon Hose Fire Company were responding to calls around 5 p.m. in Seymour and Oxford when concerns arose that the nearby Brookside Inn Restaurant, with multiple people inside, could be compromised due to rising floodwaters.
"Fire crews from Oxford were extraordinarily busy with emergencies throughout town, so Beacon Hose requested permission from Oxford fire officials to stage a rescue operation," the Beacon Hose Fire Company said.
WATER RESCUES UNDERWAY IN CONNECTICUT AFTER FLASH FLOODING CAUSES MUDSLIDES, WASHES OUT ROADS
Beacon Hose firefighters rescued 19 people and a dog from floodwaters at the Brookside Inn Restaurant in Oxford. and a nearby residence on Sunday evening. (Beacon Hose Co. No. 1)
A crew reached a cement patio at the restaurant with the fire truck's ladder extended to its maximum reach of 107 feet. Firefighters searched the building and found 18 people who had evacuated to the second and main floors of the restaurant.
They assisted 17 people in walking up the aerial ladder. Fortunately, firefighters said, none of these individuals required medical attention. The last person was placed in a Stokes basket and carried up the ladder to receive medical attention, but she was discharged after being checked out.
Firefighters also managed to rescue a homeowner and her dog from a nearby home feet away from where their firetruck was staged.
The rescue operation was complete by 7:30 p.m., firefighters said.
During the operation, a large propane tank also became dislodged from the building and began leaking, firefighters said, releasing propane that enveloped part of the building.
"There were also hazards in the rushing flood water, including vehicles and dumpsters," firefighters said. "Nobody was injured as part of this rescue."
Firefighters used their department’s minibus to transport several people back to Beacon Hose headquarters, where they waited for pickup.
"We are extraordinarily proud of all of our members who participated in this challenging incident to affect a positive outcome," the department said.
One person has been killed and one remains missing in Oxford after the catastrophic flooding. Connecticut State Emergency Management Director William Turner said two people were reported missing in the town after their vehicle was swept away by the raging water.
One of those who were swept away was found dead on Monday, and the second person remains missing, Turner added.