The mother of a 5-year-old boy missing in floodwaters from California’s epic winter storms says she thought it was safe to drive across a creek flowing over the road she drove to school every day
This undated photo provided by the Doan family shows Kyle Doan. The 5-year-old was swept away by floodwaters near San Miguel, Calif., on Monday, Jan. 9, 2023. Search efforts for the missing boy continued for a third day, Wednesday, Jan. 11. LOS ANGELES — — Lindsy Doan didn’t think the water flowing over the creek crossing on San Marcos Road was deeper than normal when she tried navigating it in her SUV while driving her 5-year-old son to school.
The storms that have relentlessly pounded California since the end of last year have claimed at least 18 lives. Most of the deaths have been caused by falling trees and people driving on flooded roads.With a sister in high school and brother in college, he is the baby in his family and loves being the center of attention.
For most of the year, the creek running along San Marcos Road is like so many California rivers and streams — a sinuous band of sand that only flows with winter and spring rains. When it is flowing, it's often easy enough to drive through the shallow waters that course over the road in places. Scotty Jalbert, emergency services manager for San Luis Obispo County, said river crossings can be deceiving and people can run into trouble after successfully fording them several times. As little as 6 inches of water is enough to knock a person off their feet and can even push a car off course if it's moving rapidly.
When he saw waves of muddy brown water and the steady flow carrying sturdy oak and sycamore limbs downstream, he said, “This isn’t going to end well for someone.”After Doan’s car came to a rest against the trees it began taking on water, so she decided to abandon it. The windows wouldn’t go down, but she was able to open her door and hug a tree. With the current pinning the rear door closed, she told Kyle to leave his belongings and climb into the front seat.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Search for 5-year-old boy swept away in California flood waters turns up one NikeSearch crews will resume looking for Kyle Doan, 5, who was swept away in raging California floodwaters.
Read more »
California Deluge Forces Mass Evacuations, Boy Swept AwayRescuers have ended the search for a 5-year-old boy who was swept away by floodwaters in central California Monday morning. Meanwhile, the entire coastal community of Montecito was ordered evacuated as California residents grappled with flooding and mudslides in the latest in a series of powerful storms. Tens of thousands of people remained without power, and some schools closed for the day. The evacuation order came on the fifth anniversary of a mudslide that killed 23 people and destroyed more than 100 homes in Montecito. Streets and highways transformed into gushing rivers, trees toppled, mud slid and motorists growled as they hit roadblocks caused by fallen debris.
Read more »
California deluge forces mass evacuations, boy swept awayRescuers have ended the search for a 5-year-old boy who was swept away by floodwaters in central California Monday morning.
Read more »
California deluge forces mass evacuations, boy swept awayAs another powerful storm walloped California, a 5-year-old boy was swept away by floodwaters on the state’s central coast, and an entire seaside community was ordered to evacuate on the fifth anniversary of deadly mudslides there.
Read more »
Boy swept away by California floods, death toll climbs to 14A 5-year-old boy was swept away by floodwaters Monday, and the death toll from the violent storms rose to 14 as Californians face extreme flooding that has left thousands without power.
Read more »
Search Called Off for Boy Swept Away by Floodwaters From California StormRescuers have ended the search for a 5-year-old boy who was swept away by floodwaters in central California Monday morning. Meanwhile, the entire coastal community of Montecito was ordered evacuated as California residents grappled with flooding and mudslides in the latest in a series of powerful storms. Tens of thousands of people remained without power, and some schools closed for the day. The evacuation order came on the fifth anniversary of a mudslide that killed 23 people and destroyed more than 100 homes in Montecito. Streets and highways transformed into gushing rivers, trees toppled, mud slid and motorists growled as they hit roadblocks caused by fallen debris.
Read more »