Latest news with #KatiKenney
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flash flooding forces evacuation of elementary school, fire station in western Maryland
ALLEGANY COUNTY, Md. (WDCW) — Flooding in rural western Maryland forced the evacuation of an elementary school Tuesday afternoon as water began to breach the second floor, according to local officials. Homes and businesses in downtown Westernport were also inundated with floodwaters after hours of heavy rain. The heavy rain left the Westernport fire station damaged and drenched in pools of water. Officials reassured the public that students and staff were safe as concerned parents and other community members posted on social media wondering how long the emergency situation would last at Westernport Elementary School. Allegany County spokesperson Kati Kenney said responders used rescue boats to safely evacuate the school. About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated during 15 boat trips. Kenney said additional evacuations were underway in nearby areas, with reports of people trapped in cars and houses, but no injuries had been reported as of late Tuesday afternoon. She said emergency crews from surrounding counties were helping with the response in the small community near the West Virginia line. Videos shared with Nexstar's WDCW showed cars submerged in water and homes flooded. Another elementary school was also evacuated, and students at a middle school were sheltering in place, the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services said Tuesday evening. Officials said three emergency shelters had been opened across the county. Allegany County Public Schools (ACPS) said students were not able to be taken home on Tuesday and had to spend the night at Mountain Ridge High School. School officials said all students were reunited with their loved ones Wednesday morning. Aaron Stallings rushed to Westernport Elementary to pick up his little sister earlier Tuesday afternoon, but he soon realized his car wouldn't make it. Stallings said he hopped a fence and made his way on foot through the shin-deep water. 'I knew my car was not going to get through, so I had to find an alternate route,' he said. Governor Moore urges Marylanders to stay vigilant as rain causes severe flooding Stallings said children were being kept on the second and third floors when he made his way inside. Minutes after he located his sister with the help of the principal, the water level on the first floor had already risen again to his knees and was rushing under the school doors. Once he waded back outside with his sister, Stallings turned around to capture video of the scene, where parked cars and a dumpster were floating through the school's parking lot. Alley Wade also left work early when she heard about flooding downtown. She and her husband hoped to pick up their two sons, ages 8 and 10, but they couldn't get to the school because roads were already closed. Instead, they spent most of the afternoon standing around in the rain, anxiously watching the floodwaters rise. 'It was stressful because I felt so helpless,' Wade said. The family was finally reunited after the students had been evacuated. Wade said there were a lot of crying kids, but thankfully, everyone was safe. Roads throughout the area were closed due to flooding, including major arteries, according to the Allegany County Sheriff's Office. Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton said the town has been prone to severe flooding in the past, but they weren't expecting it today. 'It just seemed to happen all at once,' she said. 'My heart is breaking.' She said the evacuated students were taken to higher ground and sheltered in a church building, where they would be kept safe by teachers and staff until their parents could pick them up. 12-year-old boy swept away in Albemarle floodwaters believed to have been found dead With a population under 2,000 people, Westernport is located in the far corner of western Maryland. Its downtown took shape in a valley where Georges Creek flows into the North Branch Potomac River. The National Weather Service reported widespread flash flooding in the area Tuesday afternoon. 'We are closely monitoring the flood conditions that are present across Western Maryland due to heavy rainfall, especially in Allegany County,' Gov. Wes Moore said in a social media post, adding that the state and local authorities were actively responding to the inundation. Hamilton said the last time Westernport suffered from devastating floods was in 1996. 'But we're strong and we always build back,' she said. In West Virginia, Gov. Patrick Morrisey declared a state of emergency Tuesday night in Mineral County, along the Maryland border, due to severe storms and heavy rains that resulted in flash flooding. The declaration allows the state to mobilize personnel and resources to the area. The Allegany County Sheriff's Office will be actively monitoring all evacuated areas throughout the night. Our deputies are committed to protecting unoccupied residences and ensuring the safety and security of our communities during this critical time.'The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNN
13-05-2025
- Climate
- CNN
200 rescued from flooded Maryland elementary school using boats amid heavy rain
Rescue boats were used to evacuate an elementary school in Allegany County, Maryland, Tuesday as heavy rains brought flooding to the region, the county's emergency services department said. Approximately 150 students and 50 adults were inside Westernport Elementary School at the time, and about 15 rescue boats were used as floodwaters began to reach the second floor, Kati Kenney, spokesperson for the department, told CNN. Those evacuated are safe and no injuries have been reported, according to Kenney. No other schools were affected, but there were reports of people trapped in homes and cars, she added. 'Water rescue teams from surrounding counties are actively assisting with response efforts,' Kenney said, adding that the Georges Creek region remains an area of concern for emergency responders. The creek reached moderate flood level at 12.12 feet as of 5 p.m. ET Tuesday. It rose more than 7 feet in six hours. Major flooding begins as 12 feet and the record is 12.77 feet in 1996. A flash flood emergency was in effect in the areas of Westernport and Barton, Maryland as well as Piedmont, West Virginia, according to the National Weather Service. Rainfall rates have decreased, but additional rainfall is expected through the late afternoon and evening hours as well as Wednesday as a rainy pattern continues in the Mid-Atlantic. A flash flood warning is also in effect in Grantsville, Maryland, as well as Keyser and Piedmont, West Virginia, according to the National Weather Service. Moderate rain showers were pushing toward the north and northwest in the region, with some areas seeing three to four inches of rain. Alley Wade was at work 30 minutes away when she heard that her sons' school, Westernport Elementary School, was flooded and rescues were underway. She came to a road block and was told by a police officer she couldn't go any further, causing her to go into panic mode. 'It was very scary,' Wade told CNN. 'I actually had a panic attack.' She eventually got to a location where she was able to see her oldest son William, 10, being rescued by a boat. She waved and called out to him, but it took her a while to be reunited with both her children, including her youngest son, Quinton, 8, who was also rescued. Wade's sons said they saw water close to the ceiling of the first floor of the school while being evacuated. By the end of the day, their pants were pulled up to their knees and their shoes were sopping wet. But they were OK. Once they were all reunited at a local church, William was upset, and 'clingy,' not that she minded, but Quinton said he had fun, reassuring her after the long ordeal. 'His quote was 'I had the time of my life, until the teacher wouldn't give us a snack out of the snack bin,'' she said. Wade added that teachers at the school lost their cars in the floodwaters. Video she shared with CNN shows several vehicles floating in high waters in the parking lot. Wade said she had never experienced flooding like Tuesday's before, but her husband had back in 1996. Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton told the Associated Press that the town has been prone to severe flooding in the past, and the last time the town suffered devastating flooding was in 1996. But officials weren't expecting it Tuesday. 'It just seemed to happen all at once,' she told the AP. 'My heart is breaking.' Hamilton said she's trying to get in touch with Maryland Governor Wes Moore to request emergency assistance. Videos posted on social media showed flooded streets with vehicles floating in the knee-high water in Cumberland, Maryland. Other videos showed intense flooding impacting Westernport and Lavale, Maryland, just outside of Cumberland. Motorists struggled to drive in poor road conditions as water reached closer to structures, and water can be heard in the videos rushing over roadways. In Somerset County, Pennsylvania, video from CNN affiliate WJAC showed heavy rain and flooded streets. CNN's Julianna Bragg contributed to this report.
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Flash flooding forces evacuation of elementary school in western Maryland
Flooding in rural western Maryland forced the evacuation of an elementary school Tuesday afternoon as water began to breach the second floor, according to local officials. Homes and businesses in downtown Westernport were also inundated with floodwaters following hours of heavy rain. Officials reassured the public that students and staff were safe as concerned parents and other community members posted on social media wondering how long the emergency situation would last at Westernport Elementary School. Allegany County spokesperson Kati Kenney said responders used rescue boats to safely evacuate the school. About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated during 15 boat trips. Kenney said additional evacuations were underway in nearby areas, with reports of people trapped in cars and houses, but no injuries had been reported as of late Tuesday afternoon. She said emergency crews from surrounding counties were helping with the response. Another elementary school was also evacuated, and students at a middle school were sheltering in place, the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services said Tuesday evening. Officials said three emergency shelters had been opened across the county. Aaron Stallings, 23, rushed to Westernport Elementary to pick up his little sister earlier Tuesday afternoon, but he soon realized his car wouldn't make it. Stallings said he hopped a fence and made his way on foot through the shin-deep water. "I knew my car was not going to get through, so I had to find an alternate route," he said. Stallings said children were being kept on the second and third floors when he made his way inside. Minutes after he located his sister with the help of the principal, the water level on the first floor had already risen again to his knees and was rushing under the school doors. Once he waded back outside with his sister, Stallings turned around to capture video of the scene, where parked cars and a dumpster were floating through the school's parking lot. Alley Wade also left work early when she heard about flooding downtown. She and her husband hoped to pick up their two sons, ages 8 and 10, but they couldn't get to the school because roads were already closed. Instead, they spent most of the afternoon standing around in the rain anxiously watching the floodwaters rise. "It was stressful because I felt so helpless," Wade said. The family was finally reunited after the students had been evacuated. Wade said there were a lot of crying kids but thankfully everyone was safe. Roads throughout the area were closed due to flooding, including major arteries, according to the Allegany County Sheriff's Office. Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton said the town has been prone to severe flooding in the past, but they weren't expecting it today. "It just seemed to happen all at once," she said. "My heart is breaking." She said the evacuated students were taken to higher ground and sheltered in a church building, where they would be kept safe by teachers and staff until their parents could pick them up. With a population under 2,000 people, Westernport is located in the far corner of western Maryland along the West Virginia border. Its downtown took shape in a valley where George's Creek flows into the North Branch Potomac River. The National Weather Service reported widespread flash flooding in the area Tuesday afternoon. Hamilton said she's trying to get in touch with Maryland's governor to request emergency assistance. She said the last time the town suffered from devastating floods was in 1996. "But we're strong and we always build back," she said.
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Climate
- The Independent
Flash flooding forces evacuation of elementary school in western Maryland
Flooding in rural western Maryland forced the evacuation of an elementary school Tuesday afternoon as water began to breach the second floor, according to local officials. Downtown homes and businesses were also inundated with floodwaters following hours of heavy rain. Officials reassured the public that students and staff were safe as concerned parents and other community members posted on social media wondering how long the emergency situation would last at Westernport Elementary School. Allegany County spokesperson Kati Kenney said responders used rescue boats to safely evacuate the school. About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated during 15 boat trips. Kenney said additional evacuations were underway in nearby areas, with reports of people trapped in cars and houses, but no injuries had been reported as of late Tuesday afternoon. She said emergency crews from surrounding counties were helping with the response. Roads throughout the area were closed due to flooding, including major arteries, according to the Allegany County Sheriff's Office. Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton said the town has been prone to severe flooding in the past, but they weren't expecting it today. 'It just seemed to happen all at once,' she said. 'My heart is breaking.' She said the evacuated students were taken to higher ground and sheltered in a church building, where they would be kept safe by teachers and staff until their parents could pick them up. With a population under 2,000 people, Westernport is located in far western Maryland along the West Virginia border. Its downtown was built around where Georges Creek flows into the North Branch Potomac River. The National Weather Service reported widespread flash flooding in the area Tuesday afternoon. Hamilton said she's trying to get in touch with Maryland's governor to request emergency assistance. She said the last time the town suffered devastating flooding was in 1996. 'But we're strong and we always build back,' she said.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Associated Press
Flash flooding forces evacuation of elementary school in western Maryland
WESTERNPORT, Md. (AP) — Flooding in rural western Maryland forced the evacuation of an elementary school Tuesday afternoon as water began to breach the second floor, according to local officials. Downtown homes and businesses were also inundated with floodwaters following hours of heavy rain. Officials reassured the public that students and staff were safe as concerned parents and other community members posted on social media wondering how long the emergency situation would last at Westernport Elementary School. Allegany County spokesperson Kati Kenney said responders used rescue boats to safely evacuate the school. About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated during 15 boat trips. Kenney said additional evacuations were underway in nearby areas, with reports of people trapped in cars and houses, but no injuries had been reported as of late Tuesday afternoon. She said emergency crews from surrounding counties were helping with the response. Roads throughout the area were closed due to flooding, including major arteries, according to the Allegany County Sheriff's Office. Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton said the town has been prone to severe flooding in the past, but they weren't expecting it today. 'It just seemed to happen all at once,' she said. 'My heart is breaking.' She said the evacuated students were taken to higher ground and sheltered in a church building, where they would be kept safe by teachers and staff until their parents could pick them up. With a population under 2,000 people, Westernport is located in far western Maryland along the West Virginia border. Its downtown was built around where Georges Creek flows into the North Branch Potomac River. The National Weather Service reported widespread flash flooding in the area Tuesday afternoon. Hamilton said she's trying to get in touch with Maryland's governor to request emergency assistance. She said the last time the town suffered devastating flooding was in 1996. 'But we're strong and we always build back,' she said.
