Transients Rescued From Flooded Santa Ana River

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — More than a dozen homeless people were rescued from sand piles in the Santa Ana River bottom Thursday after the waterway overflowed amid heavy rains.

Victims were spotted or reported stranded between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. in the middle of the river, generally northeast of the Market Street bridge, between the cities of Riverside and Jurupa Valley, according to authorities.

Two transients and their dogs were the first assisted by Riverside city firefighters, who walked the victims to dry land using safety lines.

According to a battalion chief at the scene, another homeless person stranded at the same encampment was rescued by crews an hour later.

None of those parties required medical treatment.

Riverside County Fire Department crews also deployed to perform rescues off Fleetwood Drive, in a community known as Belltown. The number of stranded individuals was estimated to range between seven and 10. One person was reportedly in a tree house when he called 911.

Victims were aided in walking through the fast-moving muddy water with safety lines, though rafts were also utilized.

Water levels were about knee deep, according to reports from the scene.

According to county officials, several rescued parties on the county side of the Santa Ana River did require medical attention, though it was unclear whether that was for exposure or specific injuries.

The Market Street bridge was partially closed as crews from the city and county used it to establish a command post. Riverside police officers were directing traffic to undo the resulting jam on the four-lane overpass.

The river bottom is a popular draw for the area's homeless, some of whom camp along the riverbed year-round.

City and county officials have undertaken public safety campaigns over the years to discourage transients from lodging there, and in a few cases, camps have been forcibly dismantled.

Warming fires and other activity have triggered serious brush fires on the riverbed during dry spells.

— By City News Service / Image via Riverside County Fire Department