Fire Department

The Madison Fire Department responded to over 100 calls between 4:30 PM Monday, August 20, and 6:00 AM Tuesday, August 21, for flood-related emergencies ranging from swift water rescue to gas leaks and motor vehicle crashes. The demand for emergency services required additional crews to be called in to provide standard fire/EMS protection services across the city while most MFD resources were concentrated on the city's west side. Below is a selection of flood-related calls the Madison Fire Department responded to during this time.

NOTE: A number of thoroughfares remain closed as cleanup and recovery continues. Check this page for the latest updates on road conditions, alternate routes, bus route restoration, and more.

Commerce & Mineral Point, 5:21 PM: Engine Company 12 received reports of a person trapped in vehicle with water rising around it. E12 arrived on scene and assisted the person out of their vehicle before calling a tow truck.

452 Commerce Drive, 5:58 PM: The MFD Lake Rescue Team responded to this location to rescue three people trapped on the roof of their cars. Lake Rescue 1 set up rescue ropes and safely removed all people from harm. Nobody required medical attention, and with no other obvious trouble at this location, Lake Rescue went available for the next call.

S. Gammon Road & Mineral Point Road, 6:33 PM: Engine Company 4 witnessed a person attempt to drive through high water at this location and become stranded. Engine 4 made rescue, assisted the driver out of their car, and walked them to dry land in rapidly moving knee-high water. The person was taken home by an on-duty MFD captain. He was not injured.

6723 Schroeder Road, 6:36 PM: Significant flooding in the basement and first floor of the Waterleaf Apartments left 32 occupants without a place to live. The Madison Fire Department’s Occupant Services Unit and the American Red Cross worked with property management to help residents find 
temporary housing.

1277 Deming Way, 7:26 PM: The MFD Lake Rescue Team responded to the report of a person trapped in their vehicle in swift-moving flood water. A safe area was established, where rescue ropes were anchored. The Lake Rescue Team accessed the vehicle and freed the trapped person through the passenger door. The occupant was escorted along the rescue rope to dry land. The person was uninjured.

Mineral Point Road & Gammon Road, 8:35 PM: A motor vehicle crash that occurred at unknown speeds left two people injured. Medic 2 could not access the scene despite all efforts due to excessive flooding. Ladder Company 7 was able to secure the patients and drive them to Medic 2, which was staged on the Beltline at Gammon Road. The patients were transported to UW Hospital ER.

Gust Road & County Highway PD (Mt. Horeb), 8:50 PM: Medic 7 and the MFD Lake Rescue Team was dispatched for Mutual Aid with Mount Horeb Fire for a motorist stranded in fast-moving water. Upon arrival, Medic 7 staged and awaited as Mount Horeb made contact with the occupant and brought them back onto dry land. The occupant denied any injury or need for EMS, and MFD units returned to Madison.

Piping Rock Road & Chapel Hill Road, 9:07 PM: A vehicle went off the road into a culvert. Two victims were rescued by bystanders, and a third was swept away by rapid undercurrents. The victim was found about 1/3 mile away in Greentree-Chapel Hill Park by the MFD Lake Rescue Team 13 hours later. Full press release can be found here.

1250 McKenna Blvd., 9:27 PM: Ladder Company 7 was dispatched to a couple who were stuck in their vehicle in the rising water on McKenna Blvd. Upon arrival, Ladder 7 assisted the two people to safety away from the rushing water. Once those people were safe, the crew continued to search all the vehicles that were stalled in the water. The water was over four-and-a-half feet deep and moving rapidly. No other occupied vehicles were found.

6716 Odana Road, 9:34 PM: An employee at Market Square Shopping Center was locked into her store and could not get out due to the amount of water outside the store. Engine Company 12 was able to pull the door open, get the person out of the store, and up to higher ground.

Old Sauk Road & N. High Point Road, 9:59 PM: Engine Company 4 responded to this location for an elderly woman stranded in the flooded intersection having a possible medical issue. With rapidly flowing water rushing through the intersection, Engine 4 used rope and a personal flotation device to make their way to the patient. The woman was walked to higher ground and was able to clarify that she was not injured or sick. She found refuge in a nearby library.

Deming Way, 10:38 PM: Ladder Company 7 was dispatched to this location for a reported light pole down in the road. Upon arrival, Ladder 7 found the light pole still activated and lying across the roadway. On the north side of Deming Way, it was discovered that there was
a large sinkhole that had taken the sidewalk and surrounding earth away. The water was rushing across the road from the south, and there were two disabled motor vehicles in the roadway. Both vehicles appeared to be unoccupied. In the washout area, there were natural gas lines, electrical lines, and communication lines visible. Ladder 7 stayed on location until City Engineering arrived.

University Avenue & University Bay Drive, 11:00 PM: Engine Company 5 responded for woman stranded on the top of her car in high water. She was assisted to safety.

Manitou Way & Nakoma Road, 11:12 PM: Engine Company 13 responded to this location for a Mercedes SUV flooded in the intersection. On arrival, Engine 13 encountered swift water approximately two to two-and-a-half feet deep around the vehicle. There were two people trapped inside. They did not want water to enter their passenger compartment or get the floor wet. They chose to remove themselves through the car windows with help from firefighters, who escorted them to higher ground.

8200 block Greenway Blvd., 3:09 AM: Medic 2 was dispatched to Middleton. They stood by while Middleton Fire was able to remove a woman from a porch surrounded by water with the use of their rescue boat. Medic 2 provided her with two blankets and hot packs to help warm up. She walked to the nearby McDonald’s to work on finding a ride home when the water recedes.