Parents Recount Worst Experience in Losing 5-Year-Old Son in California Flood

Flooding in California has become life-threatening.

Some areas experienced 18 inches of flood water this week, and the continuous heavy rain also contributed to rising water.

The search continued in California after a 5-year-old boy was swept away by the strong current of the flood water.

The parents, Lindsy and Brian Doan, lost their child, Kyle, on Monday in San Miguel, California.

The child's mother was driving their car to kindergarten school that morning, where she also teaches. Their vehicle got stuck around 7:45 a.m. when they got overtaken by stormwater.

Flooding in California swept a 5-year-old boy

According to People, Lindsy was driving their 4,000-pound Chevrolet Traverse, and Kyle was at the back when they got stuck near San Marcos Creek.

The swift current carried the vehicle downstream until it reached an overflowing creek.

When the flood water looked like it was about to consume the car, Lindsy decided it was better to get out of it before they got stuck.

Lindsey instructed Kyle to take off his bag and remove the seat belt he was wearing. They would depart the vehicle through her door, which would put her in a position to climb a tree.

Kyle even encouraged her mother not to panic or worry.

She opened the door and braced herself against the moving water as she pushed Kyle out of the vehicle with one hand while grasping the tree with the other.

Since the water carried clay and debris, her arms were forced into uncomfortable positions, and her grasp was tested. The water smashed her hand against the tree with great power, and Kyle disappeared after that.

The mother recalled the event, saying that at that moment, she was attempting to grab Kyle's hands, but the current still pulled Kyle out of her grasp, and their hands slipped.

Lindsey was heard yelling for rescue. She avoided getting too far away from the water's edge and was eventually rescued by a couple whose house overlooked the creek.

Brian told NBC News that he's still fortunate that his wife is here. He also comforts his wife, saying she made the best possible decision in that situation.

Brian said she couldn't stay in the car with him. The flow would overwhelm the vehicle later on, and she did the right thing.

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Searching for Kyle Doan

Due to the extreme weather conditions that occurred on Monday afternoon, the initial search was called off.

However, with the support of other law enforcement agencies, the search for Kyle continued on Wednesday.

As reported to The Washington Post, residents of the small California county where the Doans live have been organizing groups of dozens of people to help sift through the mud brought by the flooding.

The community has also initiated efforts to help raise money for the family and has already raised thousands of dollars in only two days.

According to The Washington Post, "Kyle's parents, along with 80 local and state officials and more than 40 community volunteers, are still searching for the 4-foot-tall, 52-pound boy with hazel eyes and dirty blond hair."

At the time of his disappearance, Kyle was dressed in a blue pair of trousers, a blue and gray pair of Nike tennis shoes, and a black puffer jacket with a red lining.

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