Nine adults, dog rescued from flooded West Atlantic City motels
Egg Harbor Township firefighters rescued nine adults and a dog from flooded rooms in two West Atlantic City motels, then put out a small fire Saturday.
Pleasantville firefighters first responded to the area along the Black Horse Pike to check on guests, finding tidal waters two- to three-feet deep in first-floor rooms, Egg Harbor Township Police Chief Fred Spano said.
Bargaintown firefighters then arrived with their high-water rescue vehicle and equipment, and removed the nine adults from the Travel Inn and New Sea Breeze motels.
One of the adults was in a wheelchair.
They were taken to a warming center was established at the Egg Harbor Township Community Center, where they were attended by by Egg Harbor Township EMS, Department of Public Works, Parks and Recreation, and police.
When members of the Bargaintown Volunteer Fire Company returned to double-check first floor rooms of the motels, a small fire was discovered in a room at the Travel Inn. The fire was extinguished. No injuries were reported.
Multiple entities then worked to get the nine adults new lodging, and they were returned to second-floor rooms.
In Atlantic City, firefighters spent more time responding to flood-stranded vehicles than actual fires Saturday from the heavy wind and rain.
There were two reports of fires but neither was actually a blaze, Battalion Chief Michael Famularo told BreakingAC.
The Fire Department did respond to about 20 reports of vehicles stuck in flood waters, he said.
“There were people who maybe didn’t follow all our directions to avoid flooded roads,” Famularo said Saturday afternoon. “The water was too deep and they got swamped. There still are some out there.”
Many had to be towed, he said.
Most roads are now passible but drivers are still warned to be cautious in certain flood-prone areas.
Frank Baker was able to make it home from the Flagship, but found at least one car that didn’t as he video around his neighborhood.
The median on Delaware Avenue was completely submerged.
