The Eyrie

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL — Two people were pulled from a sinking van in Port St. Lucie after heavy rain caused flooding that pushed their vehicle into a canal Monday morning.

The rescue happened on November 2 shortly before 10:30 a.m., when severe weather was flooding parts of St. Lucie County. Police said the driver tried to turn around after reaching floodwaters, but the van was carried off the roadway and into the canal before the occupants could get out safely.

Water began filling the vehicle, leaving both people trapped until help arrived.

Officer reached the van within about 100 seconds

The Port St. Lucie Police Department said Officer Peterson arrived roughly 100 seconds after the emergency call came in. He went into the water to help the people inside the partially submerged van.

Body camera video from the rescue shows Peterson moving toward the vehicle and helping the driver escape. Police credited the rapid response with helping prevent a worse outcome as the water continued rising around the van.

The rescue unfolded quickly, with emergency crews working against flood conditions that had already made roads dangerous across the area.

Passenger stayed trapped after seat belt would not release

The second occupant, identified as Maria Andrade, remained inside the rear of the van because she could not get her seat belt undone. That left her stranded as responders worked to free her from the partially flooded vehicle.

Firefighters with the St. Lucie County Fire District joined the effort and one responder entered the van to help release Andrade. Police said the coordinated response between officers and firefighters was key to getting both occupants out safely.

Both people were removed from the vehicle without further reported injury.

Family says Andrade was coming home from a doctor visit

Andrade’s son, Raul Morales, later told WPBF 25 News that she had been returning from a doctor’s appointment when the van was caught in the floodwater. That detail underscored how quickly conditions changed for motorists on flooded roads that morning.

Officials did not report any other injuries in connection with the rescue. After being pulled from the van, both occupants were said to be doing well.

The incident became one of several emergency responses tied to the storm-related flooding across Florida’s Treasure Coast.

Flooded roads kept emergency crews busy across the Treasure Coast

As rain moved through the region, emergency crews across the Treasure Coast responded to flooded streets and stranded motorists. The van rescue reflected the broader hazards created when water covers roadways and makes it hard for drivers to judge depth or current.

Police urged drivers to stay out of flooded areas, warning that submerged streets can hide serious dangers. Even when water appears shallow, conditions can be far worse beneath the surface, especially near canals and drainage areas.

Authorities said avoiding flooded roads remains the safest choice during severe weather.

Police warn drivers that flooded streets can hide dangerous conditions

Local authorities used the rescue to remind drivers that flooded roads should be treated as dangerous, not passable. In this case, the van was swept from the roadway and into a canal after the driver attempted to turn around.

Officials did not say how deep the water was, but the outcome showed how quickly a normal trip can turn into a life-threatening emergency during heavy rain. Rescue crews were able to reach both people, but only after the vehicle was already partially submerged.

For drivers in storm conditions, police said the safest decision is to avoid traveling through standing water altogether.