Firefighters Rescue Families Stranded by Hurricane Irene on Staten Island

Photo courtesy of Lt. Peter Blaich

Firefighters came to the rescue for 61 adults and three children who were flooded out of their homes on Staten Island after Hurricane Irene tore through the neighborhood on Aug. 28.
 
Units were called to a home on Saybrook Street in the Bulls Head neighborhood at 8:10 a.m., with reports of a fire.
 
When units arrived, they were unable to respond to the home because floodwaters had poured into an entire three-block section of low-lying streets (Croft Place, Saybrook Street and Goller Place between Victory Boulevard and Richmond Avenue).
 
Firefighters in cold water suits waded through the water, which was chest-high, to gain access to the reported fire building. They ascertained there was no fire, but residents in homes - all of which were flooding - were panicking and asked for help to evacuate.
 
Additional fire units, including several with small boats, were called to the scene to remove residents.
 
A total of 61 adults and three children (two of whom were toddlers), plus several dogs, cats and a pet rabbit, were removed by the firefighters from 21 flooded homes during the three-hour operation, which took place during heavy rain/wind conditions.
 
The operation concluded at about 11 a.m. 
 
About 25 firefighters were involved in the operation.