Major Flooding in Downingtown from Hurricane Ida Remnants
By Firefighter Jeff Cole
September 1, 2021
On Wednesday evening and into the early morning hours of Thursday September 2nd, the Downingtown Fire Department was dispatched to 98 incidents and responded to over 160 locally. On average we see 40-45 calls per month. The overwhelming majority of these calls during this historic rain event were water rescues from vehicles and residences.
Due to this monumental task, out of county and out of state resources were brought in to assist. Some of these resources included: Boat teams from Bellmawr, NJ Boat teams from Cherry Hill, NJ Boat teams from Delaware County Haverford, PA Police PA National Guard
We would like to thank Lionville Fire Company and our other surrounding mutual aid companies for their assistance. We would also like to thank Central Presbyterian Church for opening their doors and sheltering all of the people displaced by the flood waters.
We are proud to serve the citizens of the Downingtown Borough, East Caln and surrounding communities. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.
The members would like to thank organizations, businesses, and individuals who have donated food for our crews and made monetary donations towards our fire company. Without your support our volunteers wouldn't be able to perform our services to the community.
Cherry Hill Fire Department (NJ), NJ Swift Water Rescue Team 1, Haverford Police Dept., Monoa Fire Company (Delaware County), PA National Guard, Lionville Fire Company (Station 47), West Whiteland Fire Company (Station 6), & East Brandywine Fire Company (Station 49)