Chief: 40 water rescues, 1 injury reported as roads, homes flood in Cincinnati
CINCINNATI —
The Cincinnati Fire Department responded to at least 40 water rescues as heavy rain and storms brought flash flooding to the area on Friday night.
Cincinnati Fire Chief Frank McKinley said many of the calls were concentrated in Oakley, Madisonville and Pleasant Ridge.
McKinley said the majority of the calls were for cars that were stuck in high water, as well as home emergencies.
According to McKinley, fire officials were aware of one injury from the flooding, with the victim taken to a hospital in stable condition.
Details weren’t released on how that victim suffered their injuries or where.
The flooding began to impact Cincinnati around 5 p.m., with high water quickly building on Interstate 71 and surrounding neighborhood roads.
Traffic cameras from the interstate showed the backups during rush hour traffic around 6 p.m., with at least two cars stuck in the road as the water spilled over into the interstate lanes.
Multiple lanes of Interstate 71 were closed for hours as the water subsided.
Elsewhere in Cincinnati, a Metro bus flooded while people were inside, with video showing bus seats covered in water near Highland Avenue and Ridge Avenue.
Fire officials and first responders are monitoring the chance for additional rain Friday evening and will deploy crews as necessary, McKinley said.
Friday’s rain came before more storms are expected to impact the Greater Cincinnati region on Saturday night, with the potential for gusty winds and more heavy rain.