ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – A total of 12 people and their pets were rescued Thursday night from flash flooding at Misty Mountain Campground. The Western Albemarle Rescue Squad was the first to arrive, leading the response and coordinating efforts from all of the responding agencies in order to ensure that all 12 people and their pets were successfully evacuated from the floodwaters.

Multiple agencies, including Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS), Albemarle County Fire Rescue, Crozet Volunteer Fire, Albemarle County Police Department, and Virginia State Police, responded to the incident as fast-moving waters from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby flooded the campsite.

Anticipating the increased need for rescue and response efforts, local agencies had increased their staffing to prepare for various scenarios related to the storm’s impact on the area.

According to Western Albemarle Rescue Squad Captain Leanne Knox, the storm and the significant amount of rainfall in a short period of time caused flooding in areas not typically prone to it. The squad wants the public to stay aware and cautious during these kinds of weather events, and to be mindful that even places deemed safe can flood.

Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad was the first on the scene. We apologize for the error.