John and Heidi Edwards live in Lamplighter Village in Brevard County, Florida, one of the neighborhoods hardest hit by flash flooding on Monday, November 4. When water surrounded their home, the couple refused to evacuate without Eris, their 4-year-old Labrador, and called 911, FOX 35 Orlando reported. Since then, a photo taken that day has been circulating on social networks.
In the county of Brevardin Floridawhere the water is slowly receding, the rescue teams have carried out a series of interventions. One of them, however, attracted attention well beyond the neighborhood: a photo, posted on social networks, shows a deputy sheriff from the county ofOrange progressing through muddy water, a 4-year-old Labrador Retriever in his arms to take her to safety.
“ She's simply my friend. She won't leave me »
The dog's name is Erisa first name she shares with the goddess of chaos. HAS Lamplighter Villageone of the hardest hit areas in the county by the floods of November 2, the rising waters ended up surrounding the family home, where the animal and its owners found themselves trapped.
For John And Heidi Edwardsleaving the Labrador behind was never considered. John suffered strokes and dementia; Eris does not leave it and occupies an essential place in the house. “ She's simply my friend. She won't leave me “, he summarizes. His wife sees more than a simple presence: “ He is an emotional support animal that was certainly sent to us by God, without a doubt! “, she says.
More than 4 hours waiting for help
When the water came closer to the door, Heidi understood that he had to leave. She called 911 to ask for help, then the wait began: more than 4 hours passed before help reached the house. Among the first to respond to this call was Benjamin Haydendeputy sheriff of the county ofOrange.
He advanced on foot through the water to the couple, lifted Eris in his arms and guided the family towards the exit. John And Heidi were then helped to board a boat, and the small family headed to dry land.
Heidi said the rescuer helped them through the most devastating moment they had ever experienced, with a smile on his face, assuring them that this was what his team was training for and that they were looking after them. Today she would like to hug him to thank him.
For Benjamin Haydenintervening in the middle of a natural disaster is nothing new. In 2022, under comparable circumstances, he had already attracted public attention after rescuing a dog stranded in the wake of the hurricane Ian. This time, he was not available to speak at the time of the broadcast of the report on the rescue.
“I had never seen so much water”
Around the Edwardsthe inhabitants of Lamplighter Village count what they have lost: vehicles, personal effects, sometimes part of their home. “ I had never seen so much water invade an entire community and take so long to subside “, tell Mona Jameswho also lives in the neighborhood. Since the storm, this neighbor and other residents have been going door to door bringing meals and supplies to those who cannot leave their homes.
No one yet knows how long it will take for the water to completely recede and for authorities to deem the homes safe for sustainable return and repairs; no official damage estimate has been provided for the neighborhood. In this difficult period, the actions of neighbors and rescuers give a little hope to families like the Edwards. Heidi confides that his people cling to these little moments, all they have left.