The Angel of Indian Rocks

A once-in-a-lifetime flood didn't stop a man on a paddleboard from rescuing his neighbours

- Derek Burnett

WHEN HURRICANE HELENE barrelled toward Florida's west coast on 26 September 2024, authorities ordered the evacuation of the small community of Indian Rocks Beach, located on a barrier island just 7 to 10 feet above sea level. But with the Category 4 storm forecast to miss them by more than 160 kms, many residents, including surf instructor Marty Thomas, 52, stayed put.

Then, just before nightfall, with the power to the island cut off, a massive storm surge breached the town's seawalls, dumping water into the streets. Thomas watched it grow from nothing to ankle high in minutes. He rushed to warn his neighbours in the single-storey, six-unit complex where he lived. Thomas's neighbours Mike Moran and his girlfriend, Heather Boles, began loading their dog and three cats as well as a few belongings into Moran's Jeep.

Thomas banged on the door of an elderly neighbour who was battling cancer, then helped him out of his bed and into the Jeep. Thomas also woke two remaining neighbours, who quickly piled into their own Jeep along with their pets. Moments later, they sped off, water nearly to their headlights.