Bath Swiftwater Rescue saves person from flooded home, three stranded on submerged truck

The Swift Water Rescue Team from the Bath Volunteer Fire Department made two successful rescues Friday on a busy day for first responders across the region.

The team was deployed to southern Steuben County, which was hit hard by flash flooding as the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby dumped several inches of rain on the area Friday morning.

Bath’s Swift Water Rescue Team rescued a person trapped in their house in the town of Jasper near state Route 36 and county Route 21, the department reported Friday night. The individual was successfully removed from the flooded home and was taken to safety.

The rescue team also made a save in the Canisteo area on county Route 119 near the county Route 14 intersection.

“Three people were on top of their submerged pickup truck but managed to get to the bank along county Route 119 where the Bath Swift Water Rescue Team were able to pick them up and take them to safety as well,” said John Conrad Sr., Public Information Officer.

Both Jasper and Canisteo were among the towns evacuated Friday as Steuben County declared a state of emergency. Canisteo’s evacuation order was lifted Friday night, while Jasper’s remained in place.

“The Bath Swift Water Rescue Team are all professionally trained by the state and other professional instructors to read the water and to handle themselves both in a boat and without a boat, which is extremely dangerous,” Conrad noted.

“Untrained persons should never attempt to navigate fast moving water in these conditions. Just a couple feet of fast-moving water can move a vehicle. Remember to ‘Turn around, don’t drown!'”

Portions of 10 roads in Steuben County have been closed under an emergency order following extensive flash flooding in the southern part of the county.

Many other roadways throughout Steuben County may also be damaged or impassable, the county advised. No unnecessary travel should occur until further notice, the county said.

This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Bath Swiftwater Rescue makes saves in Canisteo, Jasper: Flood response