| As the storm approached on Monday CFD was abuzz with activity as Firefighters prepared for the imminent storm.
Beginning Sunday afternoon crews were deployed to area neighborhoods and flood prone areas throughout the Cutchogue Fire District to advise residents of mandatory evacuations that were ordered by the Town of Southold.
As the winds and rain picked up early Monday, Volunteers manned the firehouse throughout the day and night with Fire and EMS crews standing at the ready to respond to any emergency that might occur during the storm.
At Noon as the strom intensified, the calls began to come in beginning a busy strech for volunteers. Firefighters were kept busy responding virtually non-stop responding from call after call over the next 12 hour period.
The calls included several Automatic alarms, reported structure fires, Hazardous conditions, propane leaks, welfare checks, downed wires, and trees.
During the height of the storm CFD firefighters braved the elements for (2) high water rescues.
The first was to evacuate and rescue a patient who was having an medical emergency and was unable to leave her home due to severe flooding in Fleet's Neck. Utilizing the department's brush truck 8-5-12, firefighters travelled through 3-4' high water to reach her home and transported her to a waiting ambulance on high ground.
Later in the evening, at a time when the New Suffolk area was secluded due to severe flooding, CFD firefighters would rescue a stranded motorist who attempted to drive his vehicle through the high waters.
While responding to another call in the area, Firefighters aboard 8-5-12, noticed a man screaming for help while sitting atop his truck in the high floodwaters of the Kimogenor point area of New Suffolk.
Because of the high water level in this area, the firefighters were unable to reach him by using the brush truck. In his case the crew donned water rescue suits and personal floatation equipment. Utilizing the small boat that was placed on the truck for the storm, they made their way through the floodwaters to reach the man and rescue him. He was transported to high ground and was treated for exposure by EMS personnel.
Once daylight came on Tuesday, the high winds and heavy rain began to dissipate. CFD firefighters manned the apparatus and took to the streets to assess damages from the storm.
Several parts of the district were victim of downed trees and wires. Much of the District was without power and parts were still under water due to the severe tidal surges that effected the region.
Crews assisted the Town Highway Department with the removal of several trees from the roadway to help ensure that roads would be passable in the event of an emergency.
Throughout the day CFD responded to numerous additional alarms that included numerous hazardous conditions and flooded basements..
Throughout the weekend and the days following the storm as power continues to be restored to the area, CFD Volunteers would respond to over 40 calls for service.
Thank you to all of the Volunteers for your dedicated service over the past week.
The Members of the Cutchogue Fire Department continue to stand ready to serve and provide assistance to the community as we recover from the damages of the storm.
More Pictures will be posted as they become availible. |
