VIDEO: First responders in Triadelphia are facing dual challenges as they continue search and rescue missions amid devastating floods while also grappling with personal tragedies. Volunteer Fire Chief David Patterson recounted a harrowing experience on Saturday night when his squad was en route to assist in Valley Grove. “So we started heading that way and we were sitting on Route 40 by the animal shelter, and I just seen a wall of water coming toward us. So we evacuated the area and went down and started pulling other rescues,” he said.
While Patterson and his team were out on rescue calls, his assistant chief remained at headquarters. Patterson described the scene she witnessed as floodwaters surged through the area. “The moment she was standing in the ambulance bay and she said she heard this awful crack and she turned around to see a wall of water come through the back wall of the fire house,” he said.
The floodwaters inundated the entire building, leaving behind water, mud, and significant damage. “She said she watched our big tool box go floating away. We had equipment on the floor, one of our trucks is not here right now, it’s down getting repaired, and all the equipment on it was sitting on the floor, and we lost all for that truck,” Patterson said. The department plans to seek state funds to replace the ruined equipment and repair the building. However, the damage extends beyond their workplace. Patterson’s department members have also suffered personal losses.
“We still need to get back to our homes. Right now I can’t get home because the creek is up swift. I’ve been in the same clothes this morning. I had to go to Walmart this morning to buy clothes. My assistant chief, she lost her house, she lost her cars. The mayor, who is also a member of my department, his house has been destroyed and numerous others within our department,” Patterson said.
