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Photos: Atmore Suffers Massive Flooding; Dozens Rescued
December 15, 2009
Dozens of people were rescued from flood waters in Atmore Monday night after 8-10 inches of rain caused massive flooding that paralyzed the city.
“I’ve never seen anything like this in all my years in Atmore,” Atmore Fire Chief Gerry McGhee told NorthEscambia.com. “I’ve been an Atmore fireman for 34 years. This is the worst flooding I’ve ever seen.”
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Atmore flooding, click here.
At The Pines Apartments on Jack Springs Road, as many as 60 people were rescued from their flooded homes by firemen. All across Atmore, persons were rescued from partially and even almost-fully submerged vehicles.
People were rescued from deeply submerged vehicles on Cindebran Road, Highway 31 at Rockway Creek Road and on Highway 31 west of Atmore near Westside Salvage.
“The water was over waist deep where they were trapped when we got them out,” said Chris Brown, chief of the Walnut Hill Station of Escambia Fire Rescue.
“I had no idea the water was that deep when I run through,” Elaine Day, 35, of Atmore said. “I’ve never, ever seen anything like this in all my life.” Day was stopped by flood water at a Highway 31 West gas station, where the gas islands lived up their name as they were surrounded by rushing water.
In downtown Atmore, flood waters reached the sidewalks, well over a foot above the level of the road. Before the road was shut down, passing cars created waves that sent water into several downtown businesses. The Atmore Police Department and fire department closed several blocks of the downtown area as the waters continued to rise.
All across Atmore, flooded homes were reported. Dozens and dozens of vehicles were stalled across town as people tried to drive through standing water that was feet deep.
For over two hours, most of the town was impassable. At one point during the night, an Atmore Ambulance crew was unable to reach the town’s hospital on Medical Park Drive due to flooding.
On Highway 31 at the Atmore Country Club, up to four feet of water was reported to be rushing over a bridge. In Nokomis, just west of Atmore, firemen were reportedly unable to reach their fire station due to flood waters across several roads.
For a NorthEscambia.com photo gallery from the Atmore flooding, click here.
Pictured top: Monday night flooding in downtown Atmore. Pictured top inset: Highway 31 between Roberts Street and Presley Street was impassable. Pictured bottom inset: Water began to get into downtown businesses. Pictured below: A flooded gas station on Highway 31 West. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
8 Responses to “Photos: Atmore Suffers Massive Flooding; Dozens Rescued”
Joyce,
I agree.Your daughter should not have had to pay a towing fee and we wonder why so much us is going on in this world today.Every one wants to say that the world is changing but that is not true.ITS THE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD THAT HAS CHANGED.This was a time to come together and help.If the police didnt have a choice but to tow the vehichle,no charges should have been involved.Some people will do anything just for a dollar.The person that towed the car should doesnt have a soft heart.Alway remember everything happens for a reason.Im just glad your daughter was okay no major damage was done.Cars,homes can be replace but not life.Those that have went through this horrific weather and have lost out-lets try to come together and find a way to help what has been damage without trying to get over and make a dollar.That statement is for all the surrounding areas.MAY GOD BLESS ALL OF US-
I would like to commend all of the private citizens who assisted those in need during the flooding. At the same time I would say ( shame on you ) to the towing company who towed cars away, then doubled the towing fee. This was a natural disaster, and at this time of the year to do this was unethical. My daughter was rescued by a citizen of Atmore beside the Westside Salvage, he then pulled her car off the road to the side . THANKS TO HIM!!! When we went to retrieve the car in the AM, it was gone and we were told by the Atmore Police that it had been towed. They should not have removed any cars that were not on the roadway without the car owner’s notified. To take advantage of people at a time like this is shameful.
My parents are both retirement age and their house was flooded. OFCOURSE their homeoners insurance would not cover the damage…so now they are left with a big mess out of pocket. God Bless ALL who were affected by this flood.
This sort of looks like Pensacola after hurricane Ivan.
Cutting down the rain forests in South America probably contributes to this kind of weather for us. What can we do about it?
Folks are very fortunate to have the fire departments and other rescue personnel. Remember – it doesn’t take much water on the road to stall or sweep a vehicle off the road.
Great photos once again, William! Thanks for your hard work
Good pictures. I enjoy your photography. It is so natural and real. I guess you did not use flash? They are not all lit up and unnatural.
Does anyone know how the Animal Shelter fared?