Woman braves Hurricane Ian flood to check on stranger’s mom

Woman braves Hurricane Ian flood to check on stranger’s mom


ENGLEWOOD – Christine Bomlitz grew to become extra and additional distraught as Hurricane Ian gained in ferocity Wednesday, sweeping throughout southwest Florida. Hours handed, but there was still no word from her 84-yr-outdated mom.

Thursday early morning arrived. The storm experienced drifted absent right away. But however no word.

Stuck on the other facet of the country in Las Vegas, Bomlitz posted pleas for assist on social media – any where she could. Can an individual check on her mom?

Bomlitz experienced no way to get hold of her mother, Shirley Affolter, who lost her cell cellular phone ahead of the storm. Then her landline went down. With nowhere to go, she hunkered down for the evening. Prior to the storm, an evacuation vehicle experienced missed her on its route.

By Thursday afternoon, a excellent Samaritan came to the rescue.

Cheynne Prevatt, 26, had sustained destruction to her have house during the storm. But the Florida resident waded into upper body-significant floodwaters to search for Affolter.

Flooding in Englewood experienced slice the mother off from her neighbors and the relaxation of her community. She could not escape on her personal because she wants a walker to get around.

When Prevatt walked by way of the doorway, there was reduction. The girl was alive and secure.

“I failed to know who she was, but she was definitely sort of amazed to see me,” Prevatt said.

Mother and daughter ended up in a position to speak briefly on the cell phone, enough to relieve Bomlitz’s anxieties. But their conversation was minimize brief for the reason that her mom’s hearing aids experienced stopped doing work. Nonetheless, Prevatt was able to mail her a photograph of her mom smiling – safe and sound.

“I am grateful for this stranger,” Bomlitz explained, “a total stranger. Persons are wonderful.”

Prevatt had also ridden out the storm at home. Hurricane Ian peeled away shingles and caved in element of the ceiling when a palm tree smashed into the roof.

“Our residence did not actually make it,” she stated. “All of our stuff is packed up, and we are seeking to go to my grandmother’s property.”

However, her worry was for the more mature girl.

“We’re likely to go back again for her,” Prevatt mentioned. “That was the most important objective, to make guaranteed she was however alive.”

Bomlitz’s pleas ongoing nicely into Thursday as she appeared for another person with a boat to carry her mother and other individuals in the neighborhood to protection.

By evening, a paddleboard arrived to acquire Affolter to dry floor.



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