LCSO deputy reunited with family he helped during Irma

ALVA, Fla. A Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputy returned Thursday to visit a family he assisted during Hurricane Irma.

Deputy Suriel Rosario paddled a canoe with a small wooden board to get supplies to the home on Tuckahoe Road surrounded by floodwaters.

Rosario was prepared to work through the storm directing traffic, but his job suddenly shifted gears.

“I kept hearing this specific address for a well being check,” Rosario said. “I was just frustrated after a few calls of not being able to get to the house. I was determined to do something.”

Rosario and his partner spotted a canoe nearby and decided to use a broom and a board as oars to get them through 5-feet of water.

“We didn’t second-guess ourselves, it was something we had to do,” Rosario said.

Rosario took food, water and supplies to Marion Kaminski and Gwen Zimmerman to use until they could go outside again.

The women had been stranded in their home for four days until the water receded, but had the supplies they needed thanks to Rosario.

“You [Rosario] are a wonderful person, really. I don’t know what we would have done without you,” Kaminski said. “I’ll never forget you, I will never forget you, we will never forget you.”