Chapter 254: The Great Elsbridge Flood

The rainy season had hit Sodor hard. Everywhere you went was wet, wet, and wet. In Elsbridge, the citizens had erected a dam to help keep the river water at bay during periods of intense flooding. Harold was about to head out on his patrol to inspect it.

"Be careful, Harold," Percy told him. "I don't like the looks of this rain.

"Rain or not, I have a duty to perform," Harold said valiantly, and took off. After a few minutes, he reached the dam, and it didn't look good. Cracks were forming along the foundation, and water was already beginning to seep out.

"The dam's going to collapse! I need to warn everyone!."

With no time to waste, Harold flew to the village and sounded the alarm.

"The dam is breaking up! Head towards higher ground immediately!"

Luckily, the townspeople heard the call and rushed to safety. Out in the forest surrounding the town, a group of scouts were on a nature walk when they saw the river rising dangerously fast.

"We need to get out of here, quickly!"

"This way, I know a shortcut!"

But the shortcut turned out to be a very old,very rickety bridge over the river. It looked like it could collapse at any second.

"Are you guys sure this is safe?"

"There's no other way! The way we came is too flooded, we'll have to make a break for it!"

One by one, the troop crossed the bridge. All that was left was the youngest, but he wasn't very confident.

"Come on Tommy, you can do it!"

"I...I can't! I'm scared!"

"Just don't look down! Its the only way!"

Tommy gulped, and set foot on the bridge. He had made it just halfway before it began to creak, and break

"Tommy, hurry!"

As fast as his legs could carry him, Tommy, desperately trying to get to safety. The troop leader held out his hand to grab him...

Only for the bridge to collapse, sending Tommy into the river. Tommy managed to surface, but the strong current and high waves threatened to drag him down as he was carried downstream.

"HEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!"

"We've got to do something!"

"You guys chase after him, I'll call for Harold!"

When Harold received the call, he leapt into action. He found Tommy not far up the stream clinging onto a rock for dear life.

"Tommy, are you alright?"

"I want my mom!"

"Hang tight, I'm coming down?"

Grabbing his harness, Harold had his partner lower him down to Tommy's position. Acting carefully but quickly, he strapped him in and raised themselves up to safety. Everyone breathed huge sigh of relief.

When the rain had finished, the town held a special ceremony for Harold in honor of his bravery. The Rescue Chief presented Harold a medal for heroism.

"That was brave of you, Harold," Percy told him. "I don't know if I could do something like that."

"Oh, I'm sure you could," Harold said. "But you never know unless you try!"

Percy certainly hoped he would never have to.