As Hunterdon County was rocked by at least two separate lines of severe thunderstorms that passed through the area before 1300 Hours, the Flemington - Raritan First Aid and Rescue Squad continued to answer the usual EMS calls without incident.

After the storms had passed through the area and created widespread flooding throughout the county, the Squad was requested to respond our marine rescue unit to assist Quakertown Fire Company for several people trapped in or on top of their vehicles in the Pittstown section of Franklin Township.  Water Rescue 49-57 and five responded along with Marine 495.  Chief Hoffman arrived and spoke with Pittstown Command.  Our unit was cancelled while enroute a short time later as the water was receeding  and the person(s) were removed by Quakertown Fire Company and Clinton Rescue's water rescue personnel.   

The water rescue unit and Marine 495 were then dispatched to the Town of Clinton for a search for two persons that were possibly missing in the area of Leigh Street.  Clinton experienced major flooding in the business district.  Our units responded and assisted as directed by Command.  We were released a short time later and returned to our service area.

At about 1530 Hours, the Squad responded to Cider Mill Road and stood-by to assist the Raritan Township Police Department who was engaged with a barricaded subject who was threatening to commit suicide.  The subject was reported to be armed, and was refusing to exit his home.  After almost two hours, the subject surrendered to the RTPD and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office without incident.

To round out the day, the Squad then responded our water rescue unit and two BLS units to the Darts Mill Grove area to assist the Raritan Township Office of Emergency Management with evacuating residents from the campground and the apartments in the area.  Approximately a dozen persons were displaced as the South Branch of the Raritan River flowed over its banks and into the grove.  Units were cleared at approximately 2030 Hours.

Darts Mill Grove Flooding

Darts Mill Grove Flooding

Darts Mill Grove Flooding