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Two heroic teens used paddleboard to rescue local mom and son, 11, trapped inside flooded home after 911 crews ignored her pleas
Lucas and Jonah Marshall, aged 17 and 15, helped rescue a mother, her 11-year-old son and their three dogs from their flooded Florida home. The family had been stranded on a kitchen counter as water rose, after the mother said three calls to 911 brought no help; the teenagers’ actions helped get them to safety.
Historic rainfall caused severe flooding in Brevard County, including the family’s home in Palm Bay, where water rose more than two feet. The boys and a neighbour used a paddleboard and borrowed kayak, taking the son out first. The family later found most of their belongings destroyed and the house needing extensive repairs, including the removal of four feet of drywall.
In short
- Teen brothers helped rescue a mother, her son and three dogs.
- The family had been stranded as floodwater rose inside their home.
- Their home was badly damaged and needs extensive repairs.
Explained simply
Brevard County is on Florida’s Atlantic coast, and Palm Bay is one of its cities. Heavy rain can overwhelm drainage and cause water to rise quickly, flooding homes and roads.
Lucas and Jonah Marshall, aged 17 and 15, were among the people who helped the family leave their flooded home, using a paddleboard and a borrowed kayak with a neighbour. The household included a mother, her 11-year-old son and three dogs; the mother said she had called 911 three times but no help arrived.
The rescue brought the family to safety, but flood damage can leave homes unliveable and require major repairs. The account also raises questions about how emergency calls are handled during severe flooding.