Frantic search continues for boy, five, swept away in California floods

On the morning of Monday, Lindsy Doan drove her son, who was five years old, to school, without knowing about the lurking peril on a rural road in the wine region of central California.

The signs indicating that the road was closed were not there, unlike in past occasions, and initially nothing appeared wrong before their countless commutes on it. Her husband told the Guardian that the family had traveled through the area the previous day, but the region had been hit by a series of deadly storms, much like the state.

Nearby residents were able to rescue her with a rope, but Kyle quickly carried water away. As they exited the vehicle together, Lindsy, underwater and forced by fast-moving currents, pulled him away from his mother’s arms and the debris. According to Brian Doan, Kyle’s father, he reassured his mother, “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” Doan, a calm Kindergartner, was telling his mother this. The road became clear only when floodwaters began to carry the vehicle into a creek near the village of San Miguel.

Teams from law enforcement, search and rescue, and the national guard have spent several days searching for a bright and affectionate five-year-old boy who was described by his father as a loved boy who enjoyed playing with Pokémon cards and dancing. This search is one of several that has taken place in recent weeks as a series of devastating storms have battered the state, causing flooding in creeks and rivers, power outages, and fallen trees due to strong winds and heavy rains in Sacramento County, where three cars were found dead or near.

California has become more accustomed to disasters due to wildfires and drought, but the latest turn of extreme weather has also raised questions about how the state will manage the risks of catastrophic megafloods, which are expected to become more common due to the climate crisis.

A rescue team searches Kyle Doan in San Luis Obispo County, California. Photograph: San Luis Obispo County Sheriffs Office/Facebook/Reuters

In the county of San Luis Obispo, where Kyle went missing, and the Sacramento area, the sudden occurrence of flooding surprised people.

Large sections of road were swiftly and forcefully submerged as the Cosumnes River overflowed its banks and water levels rose beneath an expansive sea with hints of brown. Drivers in the rural areas of Sacramento county, who are more adept at navigating the less-traveled routes, remarked that the residents in that area had no opportunity to escape the rapidly rising waters, intensified by the heavy rainfall.

Three people died as they were swept into the rushing water or off the roads. Others were unable to escape. Some cars floated on top of the water. Dozens had to be rescued. The vehicles followed one by one into the flood during the day following New Year’s Eve, and there were no visible signals in the darkness of the night.

Liz Ehlers, whose property is adjacent to the location where levees were breached close to Highway 99, expressed, “Those unfortunate individuals were completely unaware of their destination options – and there were no indications.” Amidst the peak of the storm, Liz and her spouse Tim hastily proceeded with evacuation, arranging furniture and other possessions on tables while the water infiltrated their residence.

She stated, “and that indicates you should proceed directly into it”, individuals depended on navigation applications to navigate when the primary path became inundated and the freeway was inaccessible. “The water at the railway tracks was 4ft profound – and that was prior to the embankments ruptured,” she expressed. The getaway was a distressing one, even in their farm truck, with a profound knowledge of the streets and roads that intertwine through the meadows and agricultural land in the vicinity.

Ehlers and her spouse Tim stated that there was no indication or alert given, and the individuals present at the location did not have any opportunity to react. The floodwater rose rapidly, reaching a level above 99, and due to the poorly illuminated surroundings, the turbulent waters seamlessly merged with the obscurity.

Kyle, Lindsy’s son and a special education teacher at her school, was excited to return to class on the first day back since recovering fully from a leg fracture that required multiple surgeries. The previous day, the family had taken a surprise road trip on a frequently traveled road.

Brian said, “My wife was driving a 4,000lb SUV and she didn’t realize how different it was until she was in the water, as there were no signs to tell her not to take this road and it was 18 hours later.”

‘I’m optimistic today maybe we’ll find him,’ said Brian Doan. Photograph: Courtesy of the Doan family

Lindsy immediately separated herself from her son as debris and water overwhelmed them. Her father, whose leg had been broken when he came through the door, remained calm. He instructed her son to take off his seatbelt as Lindsy began filling water. Quickly, they pushed their vehicle off the road and into the trees to escape the water.

Swimming becomes extremely challenging in the presence of swiftly flowing water containing debris, a fact that is often misunderstood by people. The ability to maintain control becomes nearly impossible. “As my wife was submerged in the water, she kept getting pushed down,” he recounted. Despite their efforts, they were unable to reach him as he was lying on his back and submerged deeper [Kyle]. The ground beneath is extremely treacherous, making it exceedingly difficult to find stable footing. In numerous areas, the soil resembles dense chocolate pudding. The water saturation is exceptionally high.

He stated, “Authorities informed him that they retrieved wreckage from the automobile up to a distance of two miles.” Brian mentioned, “It was the correct decision to exit from that vehicle.” Subsequently, the overturned car was discovered.

It may not happen that his family is prepared for the fact, but he hopes to return home. Despite severe weather earlier in the week, authorities have continued the search daily since Monday, although it has been suspended several times before.

Brian expressed his optimism, stating that perhaps they will locate him. He emphasized the significance of finding him before they can proceed to the next stage. Personally, Brian has been preparing and hoping for positive updates. However, he understands the importance of staying strong for his family.