(Breaking: Jan. 5, updated 1:15 p.m. and 1:03 p.m.) -- LBREPORT.com has learned that at about noon today (Jan. 5), Long Beach Firefighters -- including LBFD's Swiftwater Rescue Team and LBFD Urban/Search Unit 6 -- made a successful swift water rescue from the L.A. River near the "gas line bridge" that crosses the channel south of Willow St.

[UPDATE] LBFD Public Information Officer Jake Heflin tells LBREPORT.com that LBFD's Swiftwater Rescue Team -- out on patrol during the rain -- perceived what appeared to be a homeless encampment in the area of an "island" in the channel. The Swiftwater Team walked out onto the gas pipeline bridge and tried to make contact with a person on the small "island." The team tied a small weight on a rope and tapped on the top of a shelter to alert the individual inside to the fact that L.A. River water would be rising in the coming minutes and that she would be in imminent danger.

And water was indeed rising...and quickly reached the point where the woman could not escape on her own. Accordingly, LBFD's Swiftwater Rescue Team initiated a rescue on the spot.

LBFD Swiftwater Firefighters lowered a rope to the woman (approximate age 30 years) and successfully made a vertical rescue.

Had LB's Swiftwater Rescue firefighters not spotted the imminent danger, not alerted this woman and not successfully rescued her, one can only imagine what might have happened to her.

Further details -- and possible photos to follow -- on LBREPORT.com...where you don't miss a thing.

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