A former Illinois police officer and rescue diver swam and waded for a half mile through Hurricane Ian-caused floodwaters to save his disabled mother and another woman last week.
Johnny Lauder, who had served with the North Chicago Police Department, had decided to ride out Hurricane Ian where he lived in Naples, the Washington Post reports. He stayed at his son's house while his mother refused to leave her home in the city.
But as the flooding and destruction increased as the storm surged, Lauder got a call from his mom. Her home was filling up with water, and she needed help.
Almost immediately, Lauder began a half-mile trek through neck-deep water to get to his mother, who uses a wheelchair.
“If I would’ve waited, she wouldn’t be here,” said Lauder. “And that’s my mom. I would’ve done it for anybody’s mom or anyone else in that situation. You know, that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
When Lauder reached his mom, she was shivering in four feet of water but safe. He then wrapped her in dry sheets and waited for the waters to recede before they were joined by Lauder's younger son for the trip back.
Before the trio left, however, they discovered a neighbor needed help. Lauder was able to carry the woman, while his son pushed his grandmother.
Lauder's mom was taken to the hospital, and the neighbor was brought to a hotel. Lauder lost two homes in the storm, and he's staying with his son. A GoFundMe campaign has been started to help him and his family.
“I have my mom, my sons and my job. So I still have my hope,” said Lauder.
“It sucks that it sometimes takes a natural disaster to make us actually start helping each other. But I think these hard times sometimes bring out the best in people," he added.
