Residents Pulled Through Waist Deep Floodwater As Ohio First Responders Race To Safety

Sgt. Gaffney and Officer McKenzie, alongside the Springfield Fire Department, helped residents reach safety on Abington Road in Sawyerwood on September 3 as floodwater covered the residential street.

Video shows first responders wading through knee- to waist-deep water while pushing and guiding a gray inflatable raft carrying civilians toward higher ground. A firefighter steadies the raft as officers help move it through the flooded street.

At one point, a person in dark clothing is helped aboard amid splashing. The raft later carries several civilians, including a woman in a gray shirt, as officers and a firefighter push and pull it toward a grassy bank.

Water in the Sawyerwood neighborhood reached about two feet and entered the first floors of homes without basements. Springfield Township Fire and Police used inflatable rafts to evacuate residents.

Fire Marshal John Cain said one house was involved. Two adults, an infant and pets were taken out on rafts.

The water later receded, and occupants were expected to return once it was safe. No injuries were reported in the available accounts.