GULFPORT, Miss. — Volunteers with Cajun Navy 2016 have conducted multiple water rescues along the Biloxi River in Gulfport, Mississippi, as Tropical Storm Arthur brought heavy rainfall, rising floodwaters, and dangerous currents to the region.
Working alongside the Gulfport Fire Department, Cajun Navy 2016 volunteers safely evacuated residents and their pets from flooded areas over the past few days as rain continued to raise water levels in the area.
Among those rescued were members of The Pickles youth baseball team from the Fort Worth, Texas area who became stranded by rising floodwaters while staying in the region for a World Series baseball tournament. Volunteers safely evacuated the players, coaches, and their families, ensuring they could continue their journey home safely.
Cajun Navy 2016 members were also involved in a dramatic lifesaving rescue of a kayaker who became trapped in swift-moving floodwaters after his kayak was pinned against an elevated home along the Biloxi River.
The incident occurred while Cajun Navy 2016 teams were transporting two boatloads of evacuees to safety. After dropping those residents at a designated rescue point, crews returned to the area after spotting the kayaker struggling in the strong current.
As rescuers were pulling him to safety, the kayaker’s boat overturned. Cajun Navy 2016 Founder Jon Bridgers Sr., along with a Gulfport firefighter, immediately moved into position to perform the rescue while a support boat, operated by Cajun Navy 2016 Vice President Robert Pearson, along with a Gulfport firefighter, remained secured nearby and assisted with the operation.
Rescuers were able to pull the kayak into calmer water while the victim clung to the vessel. Pearson and Alex then safely brought the kayaker aboard their Gator-Tail Rescue boat. The man was rescued without injury.
“We spent the day helping families escape rising floodwaters, including a youth baseball team from the Fort Worth area, and then found ourselves in the middle of a life-or-death rescue,” said Jon Bridgers Sr., founder of Cajun Navy 2016. “The kayaker was pinned in a dangerous current against a house, and it was a very tense situation. By the grace of God, everyone worked together, and we were able to bring him to safety. The good Lord definitely had His hand on all of us.”
Bridgers also praised the teamwork displayed throughout the response.
“It was our privilege to work alongside the Gulfport Fire Department,” he said. “Their firefighters showed tremendous courage and professionalism under extremely challenging conditions. We ask everyone to keep them and all first responders in your prayers as they continue serving their community.”
In addition to rescuing residents, Cajun Navy 2016 volunteers also assisted in evacuating family pets from flooded homes, ensuring that families could remain together during the crisis.
Video of the rescues, including footage of the dramatic kayaker rescue on the Biloxi River, is available on Cajun Navy 2016’s Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/cajunnavy2016.org
About Cajun Navy 2016
Cajun Navy 2016 is a nationwide, nonprofit, volunteer-led rescue and relief organization founded in Louisiana after the historic 2016 floods in the southeastern part of the state. The organization deploys trained volunteers and specialized equipment to assist communities impacted by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and other natural disasters across the United States.
While many individuals and groups use the “Cajun Navy” name to describe volunteer disaster response eƯorts, Cajun Navy 2016 was among the earliest organizations to formally establish a nonprofit under that name, The general term “Cajun Navy” first gained widespread use in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina, when volunteer boaters from Louisiana mobilized to rescue stranded residents—reflecting a long-standing tradition of neighbors helping neighbors in times of crisis.
Keep updated with the Cajun Navy 2016 at https://cajunnavy2016.org/.