Local Man Rescued from Floodwaters in Norwood
A man from Dorchester, Elton Lopes, shared his harrowing experience after his car was engulfed by floodwaters in Norwood. Lopes, 35, was driving on Upland Road early Wednesday morning when the water levels started rising. With his window already lowered, he managed to climb onto the hood of his car and into the cold water before emergency crews arrived to rescue him.
A Desperate Escape
Recalling the terrifying incident, Lopes said, “I jumped into the water and… then I was handed one of the trees that was there.” Norwood Police Chief William Brooks revealed that officers were already en route to the flooded area of Upland Road when they spotted Lopes’ car. They immediately shouted at him to get out of the vehicle.
Despite Lopes’ admission that he couldn’t swim, the officers urged him to trust them and follow their instructions. Brooks described Lopes’ car as “half floating but, at the same time, taking on water.” Witness Nancy Robles remarked that the car was barely visible amidst the floodwaters.
After a challenging rescue operation, Lopes was eventually pulled to safety and taken to a hospital for a check-up. He spent the rest of the day recovering from the traumatic experience. In an interview with 7NEWS, Lopes expressed his gratitude towards the police officers and firefighters who came to his aid. He commended their efforts, stating, “They did a really good job. They deserve a medal or something. They did a very good job.”
Widespread Flooding and Damage
The stormy weather that swept through New England on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning caused numerous reports of flooding and damage. Hampton, New Hampshire, experienced surging water levels, leading to warnings from public officials. In Shrewsbury, a mobile home was declared a total loss after its roof collapsed due to snow and rainfall.
Other affected communities included Everett, Plum Island, Malden, and Boston, where flooding was reported. The Norwood Police Chief, Brooks, took the opportunity to caution drivers about flooded roadways. He emphasized that appearances can be deceiving, stating, “What looks, in front of you, like a flat surface is sometimes not. And sometimes you have no idea just how deep it is.” Brooks estimated that the water during this incident reached a depth of at least five to seven feet at its peak.
Despite the placement of warning cones on Upland Road as conditions worsened, they were quickly washed away. However, as of Wednesday night, the road had reopened to traffic. Upland Road is considered a state road.
