FORKS, Wash. – Rescue helicopters were busy Monday in the Forks area where a total of 10 people, including 4 children, were hoisted from the flood waters surrounding their homes.
Currents were strong enough that swift water boats were not effective in some areas. The Coast Guard helicopter from Air Station Port Angeles arrived on the scene at 9:30am and deployed a rescue swimmer to search multiple residences. No persons were found in the first stage of the search, and the air crew pulled back to refuel at Quillayute Airport.
While they were gone a Jayhawk helicopter crew from Oregon arrived on the scene and were able to evacuate 10 people from multiple homes, transporting them to a safe landing zone with first responders from Clallam County Fire Rescue crews.
(US Coast Guard photos)