9 Water Rescues in Harford County: Emergency Management

To say first responders were busy in Wednesday's rainstorm would be an understatement.

By 8 p.m., Harford County fire and rescue personnel had handled nine water rescues on flooded roads, according to the Harford County Office of Emergency Management.

Nearly five inches of rain had fallen by 6:30 p.m., according to unofficial reports from the National Weather Service. Numerous flood warnings were in effect and officials reminded citizens that if there's standing water, turn around—don't drown.

Dozens of roads were closed across the county; see the updated list here. Drivers who tried to pass flooded roadways encountered problems, and first responders came to their aid.

At 4 p.m., technical and swift water rescue teams from the Susquehanna Hose Company, Darlington Volunteer Fire Company and Baltimore County were called when a van got stuck on Sandy Hook Road at Walters Mill, according to Rich Gardiner of the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company.

It took approximately 40 minutes to get everyone out, and nobody was injured as a result of the incident, according to Gardiner.

Just before that, at 3:30 p.m., Joppa-Magnolia Volunteer Fire Company was called for a rescue on Winters Run Road. The fire company reported that it responded to several calls around Winters Run with the swift water rescue teams, including one involving a person with minor injuries treated by Joppa-Magnolia paramedics.

Harford County remains under a flash flood watch until 6 a.m. Thursday. That means water levels could suddenly rise in certain spots as a result of heavy rain.

"Do not drive or walk through flood waters," Joppa-Magnolia advised. "Turn around, don't drown. Don't unnecessarily put our rescuers' lives in danger."