WATCH: Arlington County crews make rescue in Southwest Virginia after Hurricane Helene sparks flooding
VIRGINIA ( DC News Now ) — Video released by the Arlington County Fire Department shows the moment that responders got over 10 people to safety after rising flood waters caused by Hurricane Helene overtook a bridge in Damascus, Virginia.
On Friday, Sept. 27, the Arlington County Water Rescue Team responded to Mountain City Road in Damascus for multiple people in danger of their houses being swept away by flood waters and a report of one person trapped inside their home. The only way in or out of the area was on a bridge.
Upon arrival, the team used a boat to rescue the trapped person. Meanwhile, two local sheriff's deputies went house to house, advising residents to evacuate due to rising water.
During this, a large shipping container crashed into the bridge and became wedged underneath. Due to fog, a request for air support to help the team find a safer route out of the flooded area was denied.
By the time the responders and evacuees were gathered and ready to leave, water had risen 1 to 2 feet over the bridge, and a house had slammed into it, leaving scattered debris. However, there was no other apparent way out of the dangerous area.
All 10 evacuees, two deputies and five water rescue team members got into a vehicle and began crossing over the bridge. As they were crossing, a large log became wedged on the right side of the bridge in a position that could have injured or killed any of the occupants, according to the Arlington County Fire Department.
As seen in the video, crews got out of the vehicle and were deciding what to do when the log momentarily shifted. Responders then quickly decided to drive through the area, evacuating to safety.
This rescue was one of several that took place on Friday, as responders rescued over 70 people throughout the state.
Virginia's first responders carry out over 70 water rescues as Helene's storms hit
According to the Arlington County Fire Department, crews have made over 30 rescues in response to Hurricane Helene.
On Saturday, teams from Arlington, Prince William County and Stafford County rescued 19 people from the storm's remnants. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin also visited crews in Damascus.
