Rescue teams save 35 people, respond to 400+ calls during Chattanooga flooding

The Chattanooga Mayor’s Office has released a full list of data gathered from the multi-agency response to flooding within the city on Tuesday.

Here’s a quick recap:

CHATTANOOGA FIRE DEPARTMENT (CFD)

• More than 100 firefighters responded
• 50+ emergencies and calls for assistance
• Swiftwater rescue team saved 35 individuals from hazardous situations
• Worked with CPD and other partner agencies on roadblocks, damage assessment, and evacuations

CHATTANOOGA POLICE DEPARTMENT (CPD)

• Received 427 calls for service, including:
  • 114 reports of flooding
  • 80 hazard checks
  • 11 water emergency calls
  • 33 car accidents
  • 10 reports of downed wires

DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS (DPW)

• Public Works crews were out until 1:00am and returned to work at 7:00am this morning responding to over 100 calls
• 15 crews were out cleaning basins
• 3 forestry crews cleared downed trees
• Crews used their vehicles and barricades to assist partner agencies with road closures

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (DCD)

• Kept Chris Ramsey Community Center open overnight to serve 20+ evacuees in partnership with CFD and the Red Cross
• Provided space for CFD response staging
• Prepared a clothing pantry for flood survivors at the John A. Patten Center

WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT

• Mechanics and electricians worked overnight to keep facilities operational and avoid significant outages
• Responded to 4 reported overflow issues and 6 sewer backups
• Set up Storm Station #1 to manage increased flows

• CHATTANOOGA 311
  • Responded to more than 110 calls, 10 emails, 5 text messages, and 25 service requests reporting flooding