Father Carries Daughter Through Shoulder-Deep Floodwaters From Maryland School

Nash described the chaotic scene as he approached the flooded school, recalling how the normally quiet streets of Westernport had transformed into rushing rivers. He said he waded through chest-deep water, pushing against the current, with his daughter clinging tightly to his shoulders as debris floated past.

Emergency responders, including the local fire department and volunteers, coordinated a rescue operation, using boats and makeshift rafts to evacuate the stranded students and staff. One teacher, visibly shaken, described the rapid rise of water that left them cut off on the second floor, with windows becoming their only point of escape.

Authorities have since confirmed that all the students and staff were safely evacuated, though the flood caused significant damage to the building and surrounding homes. Local officials have declared a state of emergency as cleanup efforts begin and families assess the damage.

“I just panicked when we first saw the parking lot. I just thought what every other parent would think: I had to get to my daughter. So that’s what I did. I jumped the fence, got to my daughter, and got her out of there,” Nash said.

“I’m not gonna sit around and wait for somebody else to come get my kid,” Nash added.

His daughter Aria, 9, said she was frightened by the experience.

“I was really glad and thankful that he came and got me,” Aria said.

Efforts to restore Westernport are already underway, with volunteers and emergency crews working through the night to clear debris and pump out floodwaters from homes and businesses. Local utility companies have been dispatched to restore power and water services, while road crews assess damage to bridges and roads that remain submerged or washed out.

Governor Moore pledged state support for the recovery, emphasizing the resilience of Westernport’s residents. “We will stand with this community as it rebuilds,” he said, adding that the state’s emergency management teams are coordinating closely with local authorities to ensure a swift response.

Meanwhile, in Mineral County, West Virginia, where floodwaters also surged through low-lying areas, Governor Morrisey called for federal assistance to help communities cope with the destruction. Emergency shelters have been set up, and the National Guard has been deployed to assist in rescue and recovery efforts.

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