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Deputies recover American flag from St. Johns River, hang it as memorial to Ian recovery

Massive flooding exacerbated by rising rivers displaced many people from their homes.

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. 

Flag in floodwaters: 10/3/22

Today on the rising St. Johns River in Osteen, deputies saw an American flag in need of rescue. *This shows you just how high the river is right now. Some homes along the SJR are inches away from flooding due to a boat wake. Please stay off the water as it's only going to rise even higher in the next few days.

Posted by Volusia Sheriff's Office on Monday, October 3, 2022

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