Floodwaters Claim Life Of NSB-Area Man Inside Home

Date Added: September 30, 2022 9:59 am

Andrew Gant
Office of Public Affairs & Media Relations

FLOODWATERS CLAIM LIFE OF NSB-AREA MAN INSIDE HOME

A New Smyrna Beach-area man lost his life Thursday night after he fell and was unable to escape rising floodwaters in his home.

Deputies in a high-water vehicle responded to 1994 Lake Drive, New Smyrna Beach, around 10:30 p.m. Thursday as heavy floods saturated the area. The area was inaccessible by standard patrol vehicles, with water in the neighborhood at about waist level. The 67-year-old victim and his wife were on a list to be rescued by high-water crews. Before the rescue crew arrived, the victim fell inside the home and could not get up before the water level rose over him.

Rescuers performed life-saving measures but were unable to revive the victim. He was pronounced deceased on scene. His wife and 2 dogs in the house were taken to a storm shelter. A deputy also recovered a third dog from the home and transported it to an animal shelter.

The death was the second in VSO jurisdiction during TS Ian, with the first occurring around 1 a.m. Thursday in Deltona, where a 72-year-old man fell in a canal behind his home during the storm.