Even amid catastrophic flooding in Texas that has claimed dozens of lives, Virginia Beachโs Swiftwater Rescue Team delivered a moment of hope and humanity this week. During a recent search and recovery effort on the Guadalupe River, one Virginia Beach team member spotted a small, mud-covered baby quilt along the flood-damaged banks. Recognizing it might hold deep sentimental value, he carefully retrieved it, had it cleaned, and posted a photo on the Found on the Guadalupe Facebook page.
The quilt turned out to belong to Paula Thrash, whose family thought it was lost forever in the flood. She responded to the post with overwhelming joy. The quilt is especially meaningful because her son had just had a baby, making the find and return all the more emotional. Thanks to the teamโs dedication and compassion, the cherished item was reunited with Paula and her loved ones, offering a heartwarming reminder of the small miracles that can happen even in the darkest times.
The quiltโs recovery came as the Virginia Beach Fire Departmentโs specialized Swiftwater Rescue Team, VA-2, continued intensive work in Texas following devastating flooding that prompted a large-scale emergency response. Eight members of the team deployed from Virginia Beach on the evening of July 6, traveling more than 1,500 miles with three vehicles and a trailer of specialized equipment, including rescue boats, life jackets, and helmets.
