Emergency responders work to provide assistance in Westernport's flooded area, ensuring safety for evacuated students.
Severe flooding in Westernport led to the evacuation of about 150 students and 50 adults from Westernport Elementary School. The intense rainfall prompted emergency efforts as parents anxiously awaited news, and rescue teams worked to assist those affected. Luckily, all evacuees were reported safe, although several vehicles were lost to the floodwaters. As the community rallied together for support, local shelters opened their doors to provide refuge for those displaced. The incident highlights the importance of community resilience during natural disasters.
The small town of Westernport in Allegany County was thrown into chaos recently as severe flooding wreaked havoc in the area, forcing the evacuation of about 150 students and 50 adults from Westernport Elementary School. The intense rainfall led to a rapid rise in water levels, causing an emergency situation that required immediate action.
Alley Wade, a concerned parent, was at work when she first caught wind of the situation at her sons’ school. After hearing the alarming news about the flooding and ongoing rescues, she quickly made her way to the school, only to be blocked by police just a few blocks away. Panic quickly set in, and Wade experienced a panic attack, fearing for the safety of her boys.
As she anxiously watched, her heart raced with every second that passed. But relief was just around the corner. To her delight, she spotted her oldest son, William, being rescued by a boat. With a wave and a shout, she managed to catch his eye, giving her a glimmer of hope.
Eventually, both of her children, including 8-year-old Quinton, were safely evacuated. She found them soon after at a local church designated as an emergency shelter. They were a sight to behold: pants rolled up to their knees and shoes drenched, yet in high spirits and reunited.
Reports from the students revealed that the water inside the school had risen alarmingly close to the ceiling on the first floor. While it was a frightening experience for some, others, like young Quinton, found humor in the chaos. His light-hearted and amusing take on the situation was that he had “the time of my life”, albeit with a minor hiccup regarding snack distribution from the teacher.
In addition to the students, several teachers faced trials of their own, with many losing their vehicles to the flooding. Video footage captured the scene, showing vehicles floating in the school parking lot, a stark indication of how severe the conditions had become.
A spokesperson for Allegany County’s emergency services assured the community that those evacuated from the school were safe and confirmed that no injuries were reported. However, the flooding was not confined to just the school; there were multiple reports of residents trapped in their homes and cars. Water rescue teams from surrounding counties worked diligently to assist in the response efforts, particularly focusing on areas hit hardest, like the Georges Creek region.
As the region braced for continuing rainfall, the National Weather Service announced a flash flood emergency in Westernport and surrounding areas. They detected a flood level of 12.12 feet in Georges Creek, which was very close to the major flooding threshold of 12 feet. With the record of 12.77 feet from 1996 still fresh in local memories, the community was on alert.
Mayor Judy Hamilton reminded everyone that while Westernport has a long history of flooding, this particular incident took them all by surprise. Videos swirling around social media showed streets turned into rivers and cars submerged in waters, showcasing the widespread impact flooding had across the area.
The state was closely monitoring the situation, with officials expressing a readiness to lend support as needed. As the community began to rally together, organizations like the Bruce Outreach Center Church opened their doors to provide shelter to those displaced, welcoming around 30 individuals seeking refuge.
This recent flooding incident serves as a reminder of nature’s power and the importance of community support in times of crisis. As rains may continue to fall, the resilience of the people of Allegany County will shine through, ensuring safety and unity in face of adversity.
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