OSTEEN, Fla. — In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, which brought heavy rains across Florida, many rivers throughout the state swelled beyond major flood stages and exacerbated catastrophic flooding in many areas.
The St. Johns River in Osteen, which is in Volusia County, was one of those rivers that rose beyond its banks, causing massive flooding throughout the area, and displacing people from their homes. Some people even needed to be rescued from the rising water.
On Oct. 3, as Volusia County sheriff's deputies continued relief efforts from Ian, they found an American flag in need of its own rescue. Old Glory was pulled from the floodwaters with care and allowed to dry.
Eventually, the Stars and Stripes were hung as a memorial to ongoing relief and recovery efforts in the area, the sheriff's office said.
The Volusia County Sheriff's Office said its deputies and many other first responders had to perform many high-water rescues to save people stranded by the rising floodwaters left in Ian's wake.