![New Hartford Man Shares Story of Rescue from Arterial Flooding](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2017/07/3.jpg?w=980&q=75)
New Hartford Man Shares Story of Rescue from Arterial Flooding
The walloping rain storm that drenched and flooded chunks of central New York on Saturday had some trapped inside their vehicles on the arterial.
WIBX spoke to Shaun Brennan of New Hartford who was among those who had to be rescued by the Utica Police and Fire crews as his vehicle became nearly submerged by water as he traveled through Utica on the arterial.
''[The water] rose from basically nothing to about 4-feet in a matter of two minutes'', Brenna told WIBX, also saying he believed the concrete barriers along the still-under-construction North-South Arterial in Utica created a 'dam' effect, preventing water from draining.
Brennan, who was traveling with his wife and three children, said as traffic slowed he visibly noticed the water levels rising before being 'pushed' into that traffic by a wave of water.
''My wife jumped out - the water was up to her chest - and I had to pass the kids to her out the window,'' he said.
Brennan, who said he'd just undergone surgery this week, needed assistance from Utica Fire Fighters and a ladder to get out of his vehicle.
''Everyone's ok,'' he said, adding his that his vehicle was totaled by the water damage.
Brennan also took to Facebook to share a message of gratitude to all those who helped get his family out safely:
Had an exciting morning. I wanted to thank some awesome people that we do not know that came to our rescue. These people watched our kids, bought ice cream and were outstanding people that we need more of in this world. Thanks again to those people in that picture. You are AWESOME.
Original VIDEO
More From WIBX 950
![Utica Man Busted for Trying to Bring Loaded Gun onto Flight](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2024/07/attachment-Untitled-design-43.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Utica Police Arrest a Man for Threatening Juveniles with a Weapon](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2024/07/attachment-Menacing-Arrest.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Another Bear Spotted in Residential Neighborhood in Utica](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2024/07/attachment-Bear-Spotting.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Former Utica Sportscaster Just Got Hired by an NFL Team](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2024/07/attachment-451859201_1039894107502091_4076338204398221895_n.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Utica Police’s Most Adorable Employee Is Now Certified for This](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2017/08/IMG_5377-e1526555413679.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Central New York Rallies for Rome, Stuffs 18-Wheeler Full of Bottled Water](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2024/07/attachment-1000001776.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Severe Thunderstorm Watch Issued in Central New York, Tornadoes Possible](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2024/07/attachment-GettyImages-1193285201.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Longtime Boilermaker Runner Passes Away Moments After Crossing the Finish Line](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2024/07/attachment-Hook-Photo.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Sunday Success Proves “The Boilermaker is Back!”](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2024/07/attachment-IMG_1427.jpg?w=980&q=75)