Storm Stories: Three people, including baby, rescued during flood
As residents on Butler's west end began to clean up after a flash flood inundated homes and businesses with water and mud Wednesday evening — and stories of their experiences began to emerge — one group of people on West Brady Street say they helped pull a months-old child from an SUV stranded in the rising floodwaters.
Amanda Coester of 526 W. Brady St. said the rescue happened after the SUV, which she believed was a Chevrolet Blazer, tried to drive through the intersection of Mitchell Avenue and West Brady Street as floodwaters shaped the road.
Coester said two friends, Antoine Pollard and Dylan Folk, were in her home at the time and rushed to the aid of three people in the vehicle, one of whom she said was a three-month-old child. Coester said the occupants of the vehicle sheltered in her home for a time, while the severe flooding inundated homes and businesses in the area, and she's thankful that no one was hurt during the severe weather.
“Everyone was safe, and that's all that matters,” she said.
Coester's account was confirmed by Pollard and Folk, as well as residents Leah Koberts, who watched the rescue while swimming to her own home at 515 W. Brady St., and Matt Williams of 544 W. Brady St., who said he also participated in the rescue.
