Safety Tips and Roads in County Subject to Periodic Flooding

County residents are urged to be alert to changing weather conditions and should be prepared for possible flash flooding over the next 24 hours as a storm system moves into the area and is expected to bring heavy rains.

The National Weather Service has issued a FLASH FLOOD WATCH WARNING for Montgomery County until Thursday Evening 10:45AM Thursday. In excess of 4" of rainfall may be possible in some areas. Expected heavy rains may have the potential to cause severe and unexpected flash flooding within the next 24 hours.

Photo from The River Rescue and
Tactical Services (RRATS) web site

When it rains heavily, there may be flash floods, flood warnings and flood watches issued. Flash floods more often occur in mountain streams, hilly areas or low-lying areas. But they do happen in urban and suburban areas like Montgomery County, as well. Flash floods can occur even though it's not raining where you are. It may be raining hard farther upstream and raining so hard that the water can not be absorbed into the ground.

Safety Tips:

If a flash flood warning is issued, act immediately. Don't wait for high water to dictate your course of action.

Know your location when you are driving. If you needed rescue, would you be able to direct emergency crews to your location? Distracted driving can lead to a situation where you are stranded and unable to direct emergency crews to you. Be alert!

Never drive through a flooded road or bridge. Back up and try a different route. In many cases, it takes far less than a foot of water to incapacitate a vehicle. It may stall, leaving you stranded, and depending on the level of water, you may not be able to open a vehicle door. Do not underestimate the power of moving water.

Stay on high ground. If your car is trapped, get out if you can safety do so. Move to higher ground. If you're driving through a hilly area or place that is subject to flooding along a stream and hear a flash flood warning, go to high ground – never try to outrun a flash flood.

Watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road. Never drive where water is over bridges or roads. Turn around. The bridges or the road could suddenly be washed out. If you're driving at night be especially careful. Often visibility is limited due to wind and rain. If you should drive into water, don't try to drive out of it. Get out of the car and safely return to higher ground.

Often what you can't see below the surface of the water is far more dangerous than the high levels of that water. Remember that rocks, tree limbs and other debris can be caught in moving water and can be dangerous if you are forced to walk, wade or swim through flood waters.

If you have to walk or wade through flood water, use a stick to poke the ground in front of you with each step. It can help you determine water levels, the bottom surface and the safest possible way to get to higher ground.

Remember that flash floods can come without warning, and sometimes without weather. Be alert and heed all warnings and recommendations from officials.

From FEMA's website, some further information about driving through flooded roadways:

Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.

A foot of water will float many vehicles.

Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV's) and pick-ups

DON’T DROWN – TURN AROUND!

ROADS IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY SUBJECT TO PERIODIC FLOODING:

DOWN-COUNTY AREAS

MD 29 (Columbia Pike) at Paint Branch - N. of White Oak
MD 185 (Conn. Ave) at Rock Creek - S. of Kensington
MD 190 (River Road) at Cabin John Creek - Potomac
MD 193 (Univ. Blvd) at Sligo Creek - Wheaton
MD 586 (Viers Mill Rd) at Rock Creek - S. of Twinbrook Pkwy.
Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park - Kensington-Chevy Chase
Sligo Creek Pkwy - Silver Spring-Takoma Park

UP-COUNTY AREAS

MD 97 (Georgia Ave) at Reddy Branch - N. of Brookeville
MD 124 (Woodfield Rd) at Goshen Branch and at Gr. Seneca Creek - N. of Brink Rd.
MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Gr. Seneca Creek - W. of Gaithersburg
MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - E. of Boyds
MD 355 (Frederick Rd) at Little Seneca Creek - W. of Brink
MD 121 (Clarksburg Rd) near Little Seneca Lake - N. of Boyds
MD 118 (Germantown Rd) at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Germantown
River Rd and Berryville Rd at Seneca Creek - Seneca
Blunt Road at Great Seneca Creek - S. of Brink Rd.
Davis Mill Rd at Great Seneca Creek - N. of Gaithersburg
Brighton Dam Rd at Hawlings River - NE of Brookeville
Goldmine Rd at Hawlings River - E of Olney
Zion Rd at Hawlings River - E. of Laytonsville
Hoyles Mill Rd at ford of Little Seneca Creek - Germantown, west of soccer complex
Loghouse Rd at Magruder Branch - S. of Damascus
Elton Farm Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine
Howard Chapel Rd at Haights Branch - N. of Sunshine
White’s Ferry Road and River Road - White’s Ferry

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Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Annual "Rescue Day" Open House

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad Holds Annual "Rescue Day" Open House, October 2 - The Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad will hold its annual open house, "Rescue Day 2010," on Saturday, October 2, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm, rain or shine. Rescue Day is being held in conjunction with the Taste of Bethesda, the outdoor food festival held just two blocks away in Bethesda's restaurant district.

Rescue Day will feature free fire and rescue activities and displays for all ages, including tours of the station; fire and rescue trucks; live demonstrations of emergency medical, rescue, and firefighting equipment; a special visit by a helicopter; free children's firefighter hats; and a moon bounce. The B-CC Rescue Squad is located at 5020 Battery Lane, at the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Battery Lane. For more information, visit www.bccrs.org , call 301-652-0077, or email info@bccrs.org .

Benefit Luau and Pig Roast for Retired Fire Fighter This Saturday

I just wanted to make every one out there aware of a wonderful fundraiser event scheduled for tomorrow. It is a luau and pig roast and the proceeds of this event go to the Don't Panic Foundation and to help pay for accommodations for Retired MCFRS Fire Fighter Mark Fisher’s family during his treatment at a Baltimore area hospital. His stay will be lengthy as he undergoes treatment for a job related illness.

The festivities start at 5pm at Fire Station 14 in Beallsville. See the flyer below for more information!

This is open to any and all folks and not just fire department personnel. Thanks to the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department for co-sponsoring this event!

Benefit Fundraiser for MCFRS Child Passenger Safety Seat Program

I wanted to make sure all of you out there are aware of a fantastic fundraiser coming up next week that will benefit our Child Passenger Safety Seat Program.  Please see flyer below for more details and we hope to see you there! 

Life Off Duty: Competitive Cycling at the 2010 Can-Am Police and Fire Games

NOTE: Besides being fantastic first responders, our fire and rescue personnel have a variety of talents that go well beyond the fire station. Below is from Firefighter/Paramedic Bryan Stottlemyer who has become quite a cyclist after discovering it as part of a rehab program for shoulder surgery a couple of years ago. Read on and learn what one of our own does while off duty yet still represents the County and MCFRS proudly. Bill Delaney

By: J. Bryan Stottlemyer, Firefighter/Paramedic MCFRS

Two weeks ago, I returned from the 2010 Can-Am Police and Fire Games, which were held in Dublin, Ohio (just outside of Columbus). I competed in all four cycling events, along with members from my cycling team - Capital Region Fire and Police Cycling. We met, and competed against/with, other public safety workers from around the country and Canada.

The team members arrived with anticipation and excitement ready to put the last year's worth of training to the test. Throughout the events, which consisted of (in order) a Time Trial, Criterium, Street Sprints, and Road Race, our team members earned medals every time we raced. Personally, I earned three Gold Medals, and one Silver. Although I competed for the cycling team, every time I was announced for the podium, they introduced me as "From Montgomery County Fire and Rescue".

Our team, which consisted of members from Alexandria (VA) Fire, DC Metro Police and I, left the games with confidence and respect. We are looking forward to training hard (after a brief off-season, of course!) for the World Police and Fire Games which will be held next August in New York City.

I began riding competitively this year, after discovering road cycling while trying to rehab my shoulder after surgery two years ago. I immediately knew that it was a sport in which I wanted to compete and, shortly thereafter, I learned of the World Police and Fire Games as well as the Can-Am Police and Fire Games...both of which became target events for me. My preparation for next year will begin in about forty-five days. The World Police and Fire Games are going to be challenging to reach, financially, but I'm going to train hard nonetheless. This year, my out-of-pocket costs were nearly $10,000, and next year will probably meet or exceed that. My wife and son have been amazingly supportive, and I owe them all the thanks in the world.

For any Fire Fighter or Police Officer reading this, I would like to spread the word and personally invite others to participate in the world games. It is an experience that will last a lifetime, and next year there will be 68 sports to choose from (http://2011wpfg.org/SportsEvents/tabid/57/Default.aspx). I can tell you that in these difficult times, the brotherhood and camaraderie that is shared among firefighters and police officers around the world is alive and well. I am already looking forward to seeing the guys that I raced against next year!