Rockford firefighters rescue stranded drivers, put out garage blaze during flash flooding

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) – Crews with the Rockford Fire Department rescued several drivers who were stranded in flooded and stalled cars Saturday night, as about 6 inches of rain brought flash flooding to various parts of the city.

Firefighters responded to 120 calls for service between 11 p.m., July 13 and 6 a.m. Sunday, July 14, the city said in a release.

Crews also dealt with a structural collapse brought on by rising floodwaters, extinguished a garage fire and conduced several welfare checks.

The department said a large part of the flooding occurred in the Keith Creek corridor , but localized flooding was reported across all areas within the city’s boundaries.

“Waters in certain areas remain high, and we strongly urge citizens to stay out of all flooded areas and never drive vehicles through flooded roadways,” the release said.

Flood waters were rising about 1 to 2 inches per hour.

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