Florida teen Thomas Ruzzano is rightfully being celebrated as a hero after he rushed into dangerous flash flood waters to save several stranded drivers in Boca Raton. This 18-year-old didn’t just stand by when disaster struck. He jumped right into the chaos, prioritizing the safety of others caught off guard by an incredibly powerful storm.
Ruzzano was actually enjoying a movie with his girlfriend at Mizner Park when the weather decided to go completely haywire outside. He told WPTV that the storm was impossible to ignore even from inside the theater. “During the movie, we just heard lightning, pouring the whole movie and then on the way out, we’re in a flood,” he recalled.
You’re talking about a serious deluge here. The city had been hit by a fierce storm that dumped a staggering eight inches of rain, bringing heavy winds and constant lightning. When Ruzzano and his girlfriend left the theater, they weren’t just stepping into a puddle – they stepped into a rapidly unfolding crisis.
The flood could have taken many lives
He described the scene perfectly, noting that the entire area was backed up with cars. The roundabout, the entire parking garage, and even the bathrooms inside the movie theater were flooded. Ruzzano estimated to Local 10 News that the parking garage alone was submerged under about two feet of rising water.
It was at that moment that Ruzzano realized people weren’t just inconvenienced; they were trapped. He didn’t hesitate for a second. He immediately sprang into action, moving “from car to car” to check on drivers. He estimates he helped “probably six or seven people” get to safety. He was focused on making sure everyone was okay, which is exactly the kind of clear thinking you need in an emergency.
The most dramatic rescue involved an elderly man who was in serious trouble. The water was already rising above the man’s shoulders, and he couldn’t get himself free because his seatbelt was stuck. Ruzzano, along with others who had rallied to help, worked quickly to extract him.
Ruzzano remembered that the man seemed a little stunned by the whole experience. “He was actually stuck in the car, and we had to help him out. I think he was a little lost of the whole situation, so we helped him,” Ruzzano explained. After they got him out, the man was so disoriented he tried to start pushing his flooded car. Ruzzano and the others had to tell him, “No sir. We just have to get you to safety, make sure you’re okay.” They eventually brought him to a nearby restaurant to ensure he was safe and dry.
It’s truly fortunate how things played out, as Ruzzano told Local 10 News. When asked about why he acted so quickly, he credited his dad, saying that he always taught him to rely on his instincts and “raised me right.” It’s clear those lessons paid off in a huge way.
The people Ruzzano saved were understandably overwhelmed with gratitude. When he spoke about the people he helped, he recalled, “They were just very thankful, and they kept telling me how lucky they were to have me there.”
