A North Texas youth baseball team known as the Parker County Pickles arrived in Gulfport, Mississippi, eager to compete in the 13U division of the World Series tournament.
But the weekend brought an unexpected deluge; torrential rain swelled the local waterways and flooded the Airbnb where the team was staying, with water climbing to the second floor.
The Call for Help
With the situation growing dire, the team’s coaches sent an urgent message to the volunteer rescue group Cajun Navy 2016 on Facebook, pleading for assistance.
Within hours, the Cajun Navy 2016 mobilized a fleet of boats, navigating the rising currents to extract twelve children, nine adults and three dogs from the submerged residence.
A Safe Evacuation
The volunteers ferried the entire party to higher ground, ensuring that every player and adult was accounted for before the waters could claim the property.
After the harrowing rescue, the team was relocated to a secure location and, remarkably, continued to compete in the tournament, delivering solid performances that earned praise from opponents and organizers alike.
Keri Volmert, one of the team’s leaders, later expressed heartfelt gratitude, stating that the swift action of the Cajun Navy 2016 saved not only their tournament hopes but also the lives of their families and pets.
Trey Williams and Vance Dobias, who were among the adults on the trip, echoed the sentiment, highlighting the professionalism and compassion displayed by the rescuers.