As the relentless downpour continued through Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning, the suburbs surrounding Chicago bore the brunt of its fury. Streets turned into rivers, and countless homes found themselves submerged under rising waters. The resulting chaos led to widespread road closures and emergency situations that had local fire departments scrambling to respond.
In Buffalo Grove, the situation became particularly dire as the deluge intensified around St. Mary’s Parkway, between Raupp Boulevard and Lincoln Terrace. With vehicles stranded and residents trapped inside their homes, the Buffalo Grove Fire Department urgently issued a call for help through MABAS (Mutual Aid Box Alarm System), requesting swift water rescue technicians and equipment. Neighboring towns such as Long Grove, Prospect Heights, Lincolnshire-Riverwoods, Libertyville, and Mount Prospect answered the call, sending swift water teams along with their specialized boats. Additional support also came from several other nearby departments.
Larry Shapiro was on the scene and managed to capture some compelling images and even recorded a video (which will be shared shortly) documenting the intense efforts made by these brave firefighters. Their focus was clear—rescue operations took precedence over everything else, ensuring every resident received the aid they needed.
One image shows St. Mary's Parkway west of Raupp Boulevard, where floodwaters stretched out endlessly, creating an impassable barrier. Another photograph highlights firefighters carrying an inflatable boat, ready to deploy it at a moment’s notice. There are scenes of high water levels near homes that prompted immediate evacuation orders, while others depict firefighters carefully assisting residents—some requiring medical attention—out of their flooded residences. In one poignant shot, a firefighter can be seen helping a family move to safety, including their beloved pets.
Libertyville also played a crucial role in this operation, sending over their own swift water specialists equipped with essential gear. Meanwhile, the introduction of a brand-new Buffalo Grove Medtec ambulance added another layer of preparedness to the mission.
Despite the ongoing rain showers during the entire rescue process, no challenge deterred these dedicated professionals. Even post-operation, decontamination procedures ensured the safety of all involved personnel. For those interested in seeing more visuals from this harrowing event, a full gallery is available online.
This experience served as a stark reminder of nature's power but also highlighted the resilience and teamwork displayed by emergency services when faced with adversity.
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