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Flash flooding prompts several vehicle rescues in Rockford

Posted June 19, 2018 7:00 am

The Associated Press

ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) - Bystanders have rescued a 70-year-old man from his submerged car after flash flooding swamped a northern Illinois city.

The Monday evening storm dumped 3-5 inches (8-13 centimeters) of rain on Rockford in under four hours. Resulting floods submerged roads under feet of water. Authorities haven't reported any injuries.

The Rockford Register Star reports that people who saw a car being swept into a guardrail then broke out its windows to rescue the 70-year-old driver.

Mark Pickett says he used straps from his truck to help the man to safety.

The Rockford Fire Department rescued people from about 15 vehicles.

Parts of a Mercyhealth Hospital campus in Rockford were flooded, but officials said no patient-occupied areas were affected.

Torrential weekend rain caused flooding leading to disaster declarations in Wisconsin and Michigan.

In this Monday, June 18, 2018, photo, Mark Pickett, left and Ryan Craig, right, work to rescue Bruce Salley, who was trapped in his car by flood waters in a supermarket parking in Rockford, Ill. An evening thunderstorm brought heavy rains across the Rock River Valley causing vehicles to get stuck in flood waters and stranding motorists. (Arturo Fernandez/Rockford Register Star via AP) The Associated Press

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