A 35-year-old woman fell into waist-high water in the Connoquenessing Creek in Zelienople on Friday at around 4 p.m., after walking on some ice that had formed on its surface.

Harmony Fire District Chief Scott Garing said the woman was not injured in the fall, and was able to walk out of the water safely. Crews responded to the creek bank near Halstead Boulevard in Zelienople, which is located behind a number of business buildings off Main Street.

Mark Adomaitis, chief of Butler County Water Rescue Team 300, said earlier in 2022 that people should avoid walking on outdoor frozen water sources, because they can be unstable.

Additionally, people should notify others of where they are going if heading on a hike, and when they expect to return, in case of emergency. Flooding is also a dangerous possibility when temperatures fluctuate as much as they have in the past week.

“With the weather apps out there, be aware of the upcoming weather,” Adomaitis said. “As it warms up and you get all that rain, water puts it into the creek and breaks up the ice. As the ice comes down the water will continue to flow but that ice builds up and forms an ice jam … when the water comes down it's got nowhere to go.”

While the situation Friday afternoon did not result in injury, Adomaitis said water rescues can evolve into dicey situations.

Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company, the Beaver Falls Fire Department and Harmony EMS also responded to the scene Friday.