SOMERSET COUNTY, N.J. — The Flemington-Raritan First Aid and Rescue Squad responded Monday night as part of a coordinated Hunterdon County water rescue task force to assist Somerset County communities impacted by severe flash flooding.
Under the direction of Rescue Chief Tom Hoffman, fourteen swiftwater rescue technicians deployed with high-water and marine rescue vehicles. Additional personnel remained in Flemington to staff ambulances and the heavy rescue unit while the main team was out of town.
After arriving at a staging area in Bridgewater, the task force was dispatched to the Green Brook and North Plainfield areas. Crews checked numerous vehicles along Route 22 for stranded occupants and launched multiple boats to perform water rescues. The Flemington-Raritan marine units helped safely evacuate 13 residents, including an infant and an elderly adult, as well as two dogs from flooded homes.
The task force also conducted targeted searches and welfare checks in areas where water had started to recede. Officials credited smooth operations to common training across responding agencies. Units were released by Somerset County around 1 a.m.
Other Hunterdon County agencies assisting in the operation included the High Bridge Fire Department, Kingwood Township Volunteer Fire Company, Whitehouse Rescue Squad, South Branch Emergency Services, and the Hunterdon County Department of Public Safety.
In total, the task force deployed three high-water vehicles and six boats. The Flemington-Raritan squad expressed gratitude for the coordinated effort and extended thoughts to those affected by the flooding.
