Early Monday, rescue crews in Galt waded into rising floodwaters along Dry Creek and pulled five people to safety after heavy winter storms turned the channel dangerous. Two were first found stranded on a small island, and three more were discovered as water levels continued to rise. Several were treated at a hospital for hypothermia as rescuers navigated fast-moving water and dense brush.
The Woodbridge Fire Protection District said it received a call in the pre-dawn hours and found two people trapped near Kost Road and South Lincoln Way, according to KCRA. Crews later located three more and transported all five to a hospital for evaluation. Battalion Chief Eric Edwards said heavy vegetation prevented the use of air support, requiring firefighters to approach on foot.
First responders were on scene at around 4:30 a.m., and one of the people rescued had three dogs with them when crews reached the group, according to CBS Sacramento. Search teams spent more than an hour combing the area to be sure no one else was stuck in the high water as levels continued to rise.
The Cosumnes Fire Department assisted Woodbridge Fire, along with the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Some rescued individuals were unhoused and suffering from hypothermia, ABC10 reported. Fire officials said they were treated at the scene before being transported for further medical evaluation.
Local officials urged residents to steer clear of creeks and waterways while runoff remains high and to move to higher ground if they live or camp in low-lying areas, KCRA reports. Fire and sheriff’s personnel also stressed how quickly conditions can flip from manageable to life-threatening during storms and warned that bystanders should never attempt water rescues themselves.
Rough Terrain, Fast Water Turn Rescue Into A Grind
Dense brush, tree cover, and strong currents prevented crews from using helicopters or larger boats in sections of the creek, which forced responders to haul gear in on foot and rely on small rafts where it was safe to do so, CBS Sacramento reported. That made the mission slower and more complex, as teams methodically checked the area to ensure no one else was stranded in the floodwaters.
Search efforts stretched into the morning as crews swept the creek bed and nearby encampments to confirm that everyone, including pets, was accounted for, according to ABC10. Officials reminded the public that if they see someone in immediate danger near swollen waterways, the right move is to call 911 and let trained rescuers handle the risk.
