Several rescued as streets across Watertown flood after heavy rainfall

Rain in Watertown

WATERTOWN -- The rain came quick and heavy on Friday, Aug. 17. Watertown was one of the hardest hit areas with eight inches of rainfall. Some streets were turned into a river, making for dangerous conditions on the roads.

Friday morning started a little differently for 21-year-old Nolan Van Loenen.

Flooding in Watertown

"It looked like something straight out of a movie," said Nolan Van Loenen, helped rescue family.

Just outside of his parents' Watertown home, water covered the roadway. A van was stuck right in the middle of it.

"The car was completely submerged, it had water coming in," said Van Loenen.

The former Navy sailor, who worked as a first responder on ships, ran to help. Home surveillance captured the rescue; he pulled the family from the van to safety.

Rescues in Watertown amid flooding

"Without hesitation, run out there," said Van Loenen. "I was expected us to try to push the car out but I think they kind of gave up on it."

"My vehicle got stuck on the other side of the viaduct over there," Bailey Balistreire said.

Bailey Balistreire called his friend and as they waited for a tow truck, they helped rescue two others who drove in and also got stuck.

"This morning I helped a grandma get out with her grandson," Balistreire said.

It was a similar scene across Watertown. Cellphone footage shows first responders helping a man stuck in the water.

"As soon as I realized they were actually going to try to drive through, I was like 'no, no, no, no,' but I was too far away from them," said Tim Halbach, with the National Weather Service (NWS).

Others traded cars for kayaks.

Flooding in Watertown

As quickly as the water came in, by afternoon, much if it had gone.

Watertown living up to its name, can now dry off.