August 6, Saturday, a typical afternoon. Cloudy, chances of rain 50%. Finishing the lunch in one of the restaurants downtown. On my way home with my friends when the storm started. But we got home and I was like: "Thank God, I found a parking space". An hour later Facebook was flooded with "help" messages. Helps us in the flood! I had no idea that a deadly freak flood had hit my little town. The messages were coming from the people who drove on the highway that night. No room for panic and a quick decision (or better say judgment call). Called my bro and on our way to the affected area. Silence in the car. We didn't know what's waiting for us. We had no idea what's in front of us. But we knew that we wanted to help those people who were desperately asking for help. A family of four, mother with a baby-- so many messages were spreading through the social channels.
There were thunderbolts with lightning almost every second. It was really horrific. Parts of the city's ring road were swept away in the floods, dragging cars into nearby fields.
More than 50 people died that night. Some of the victims drowned in their cars. I saved two lives. They call me a town hero, but I still feel terrible from that night. Looking in those I couldn't save. But I know I did my best.
#1 A young woman with her mother.
My brother was holding the rope while I was getting them out. Both are doing fine.
#2 Helping every day with clean up.
...and so the story goes with being there night and day and help those people clean.