NAPLES, Fla. — Call him a mama’s boy if you like, but Johnny Lauder had no intentions of leaving his 84-year-old mother to fend for herself as Hurricane Ian’s punishing storm surge flooded their shared neighborhood in Naples, Florida.
Lauder told WTSP that his home quickly began taking on water after the near Category 5 storm made landfall Wednesday, pummeling portions of the Florida peninsula with historic rain and wind.
When he was finally able to reach his mother by phone, Lauder learned that she was also hunkered down in her home in chest-deep water. He quickly realized that waiting out the storm was no longer an option and swam the half-mile to his mother’s house for an impromptu extraction.
“There was a van at the end of the street that floated past me,” Lauder, 49, told WTSP, adding, “I have been in rough water before, and this was like a large body of water moving.”
[ Ian: Florida residents recall harrowing storm that was ‘like a river out of nowhere’ ]
Lauder later told The Washington Post that Ian’s unprecedented storm surge swamped houses, knocked down power lines and “left the downtown [Naples] area looking like Atlantis.”
According to the newspaper, Lauder’s mother, Karen, is confined to a wheelchair after having had both legs amputated, but her son, a former Chicago police officer and rescue diver, was not deterred.
“If I would’ve waited, she wouldn’t be here, and that’s my mom,” Lauder told the Post, adding, “I would’ve done it for anybody’s mom or anyone else in that situation. You know, that’s what you’re supposed to do.”
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida MATLACHA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Whitney Hall (R) embraces a friend atop the remains of his home amidst wreckage left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on the island of Matlacha on September 30, 2022 in Matlacha, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida MATLACHA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Pine Island residents Wolfgang Nester (R) and his son Sebastian walk amongst the wreckage lef in the wake of Hurricane Ian on the island of Matlacha on September 30, 2022 in Matlacha, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida MATLACHA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: A chair sits on a flooded roadway in the wake of Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Matlacha, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida MATLACHA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Wreckage left in the wake of Hurricane Ian is shown on the island of Matlacha on September 30, 2022 in Matlacha, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida A burned vehicle from an electrical fire following Hurricane Ian in Venice, Florida, US, on Friday, Sept. 30, 2022. Two million electricity customers in Florida remained without power Friday morning, according to the tracking site poweroutage.us. Photographer: Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida MATLACHA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Whitney Hall waves to a friend from the remains of his home while waving the American flag amidst wreckage left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on the island of Matlacha on September 30, 2022 in Matlacha, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Sue Lepisto hugs her neighbor after they saw each other when they came to visit what was left of their homes after Hurricane Ian passed through on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Their homes were flooded with about 6 feet of water. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Brian Siebert becomes emotional as he looks at what remains of his home after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Mr. Siebert feels like he has lost everything in the apartment because there was about 6 feet of water that inundated it. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Frank Bruno speaks with members of the Texas A&M Task Force 1 Search and Rescue team as they look for anyone needing help after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Mr. Bruno said he road the storm out in his home and told the search team members that he was okay. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Deb McGinty walks with outstretched arms near her apartment as she said she was, "Thanking God that I'm alive" after Hurricane Ian passed through on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Mrs. McGinty said she rode the storm out in her home and feels lucky to be alive. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Lucy Montoya hugs niece Judy Sanchez after seeing her for the first time since Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Mrs. Montoya said she road the storm out in the apartment and had to flee through a window because of flood waters in the middle of the storm to a second floor apartment. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Val Stuart talks on a cell phone as she sits on the bed she setup on the floor after the apartment she was staying in was flooded when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Mrs. Stuart who evacuated from Sanibel before the storm ended up staying in the apartment and had to flee in the middle of the storm through a window because of flood waters to a second floor apartment. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Jordan Reidy carries his dog, Ivory, back to their second-floor apartment after fleeing when Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Mr. Reidy and his mother plan to stay at the home because they feel like they have no where else to go. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Omar Sanchez walks through flood waters to his apartment after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. Mr. Sanchez said he had to flee from his first floor apartment to the second floor because flood waters inundated it. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: A member of the Texas A&M Task Force 1 Search and Rescue team looks for anyone needing help after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida A woman walks down the stairs from her house as a creek overflows from flooding following Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Kissimmee, Florida. - Forecasters expect Hurricane Ian to cause life-threatening storm surges in the Carolinas on Friday after unleashing devastation in Florida, where it left a yet unknown number of dead in its wake. After weakening across Florida, Ian regained its Category 1 status in the Atlantic Ocean and was headed toward the Carolinas, the US National Hurricane Center said Friday. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) (BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida Osceloa County Sheriffs use a fanboat to rescue residents from flooding following Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Kissimmee, Florida. - Forecasters expect Hurricane Ian to cause life-threatening storm surges in the Carolinas on Friday after unleashing devastation in Florida, where it left a yet unknown number of dead in its wake. After weakening across Florida, Ian regained its Category 1 status in the Atlantic Ocean and was headed toward the Carolinas, the US National Hurricane Center said Friday. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) (BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida Osceloa County Sheriffs use a fanboat to rescue a 93 year-old resident from flooding following Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Kissimmee, Florida. - Forecasters expect Hurricane Ian to cause life-threatening storm surges in the Carolinas on Friday after unleashing devastation in Florida, where it left a yet unknown number of dead in its wake. After weakening across Florida, Ian regained its Category 1 status in the Atlantic Ocean and was headed toward the Carolinas, the US National Hurricane Center said Friday. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) (BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida Osceloa County Sheriffs use a fanboat to rescue residents from flooding following Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Kissimmee, Florida. - Forecasters expect Hurricane Ian to cause life-threatening storm surges in the Carolinas on Friday after unleashing devastation in Florida, where it left a yet unknown number of dead in its wake. After weakening across Florida, Ian regained its Category 1 status in the Atlantic Ocean and was headed toward the Carolinas, the US National Hurricane Center said Friday. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) (BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida A man stops in front of his house as a creek overflows from flooding following Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Kissimmee, Florida. - Forecasters expect Hurricane Ian to cause life-threatening storm surges in the Carolinas on Friday after unleashing devastation in Florida, where it left a yet unknown number of dead in its wake. After weakening across Florida, Ian regained its Category 1 status in the Atlantic Ocean and was headed toward the Carolinas, the US National Hurricane Center said Friday. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) (BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida Osceloa County Sheriffs speaks to a resident as a creek rises from flooding following Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Kissimmee, Florida. - Forecasters expect Hurricane Ian to cause life-threatening storm surges in the Carolinas on Friday after unleashing devastation in Florida, where it left a yet unknown number of dead in its wake. After weakening across Florida, Ian regained its Category 1 status in the Atlantic Ocean and was headed toward the Carolinas, the US National Hurricane Center said Friday. (Photo by Bryan R. Smith / AFP) (Photo by BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) (BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: In this aerial view, vehicles line up to purchase gasoline in the wake of Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Port Charlotte, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida PORT CHARLOTTE, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: In this aerial view, vehicles drive through standing water left in the wake of Hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Port Charlotte, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surges, and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida A fallen sign following Hurricane Ian in Venice, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Ian, now a hurricane again, is threatening to carve a new path of destruction through South Carolina Friday when it roars ashore north of Charleston. Photographer: Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 29: Members of the Florida National Guard look for stranded residents in a flooded neighborhood in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The storm has caused widespread power outages and flash flooding in Central Florida as it crossed through the state after making landfall in the Fort Myers area as a Category 4 hurricane. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: A wall of a condo was torn off as hurricane Ian passed through on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida FORT MYERS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 30: Ron Waselenchuk inspects his sailboat which was pushed ashore by hurricane Ian on September 30, 2022 in Fort Myers, Florida. The hurricane brought high winds, storm surge and rain to the area causing severe damage. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida Damage to a McDonald's restaurant following Hurricane Ian in Venice, Florida, US, on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022. Ian, now a hurricane again, is threatening to carve a new path of destruction through South Carolina Friday when it roars ashore north of Charleston. Photographer: Tristan Wheelock/Bloomberg via Getty Images (Bloomberg/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Photos: Hurricane Ian's devastating impact on Florida ORLANDO, FLORIDA, UNITED STATES - SEPTEMBER 29: Street signs are seen in the water in a flooded street in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022 in Orlando, Florida. The storm has caused widespread power outages and flash flooding in Central Florida as it crossed through the state after making landfall in the Fort Myers area as a Category 4 hurricane. (Photo by Paul Hennessy/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images) (Anadolu Agency/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage In this aerial view, boats sit grounded in a woodland area and along the side of the road after being pushed by rising water from Hurricane Ian near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022, in San Carlos Island, Florida. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage In this aerial view, the Sanibel Causeway bridge collapsed in places after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Sanibel, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage In this aerial view, a neighborhood remains flooded near downtown after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage Boats sit atop one another in a marina near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022, in San Carlos Island, Florida. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage A man documents storm damage with his phone after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage Vehicles float in the water after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage Doc's Beach House after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage Seth Jones, left, sorts through storm damaged video games as Jason Crosser looks on at Crossers storm damaged business, 8-Bit Hall of Fame, after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage In this aerial view, a home burns after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Sanibel, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage A man looks out to the Gulf of Mexico after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Naples, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage A woman walks her bike past boats blocking a road after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage In this aerial view, cars sit in floodwater near downtown after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage In this aerial view, the Sanibel Causeway bridge collapsed in places after Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Sanibel, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage A storm damaged building after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage Meagan Hoeschler recovers a family surf board on the beach after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Naples, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage Storm debris fills a street after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage A car sits in floodwater after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Orlando, Florida. (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage Storm damaged vehicles after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage People walk along a sidewalk blocked by boats after Hurricane Ian on September 29, 2022, in Bonita Springs, Florida. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage In an aerial view, damaged buildings are seen as Hurricane Ian passed through the area on September 29, 2022, in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Floridians begin assessing catastrophic Hurricane Ian damage In this aerial view, boats sit atop one another in a marina near Fort Myers Beach on September 29, 2022, in San Carlos Island, Florida. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods National Guardsmen transport meals ready-to-eat to a community cut off by flooding in the wake of Hurricane Ian near the Peace River on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods Travel trailers are inundated by floodwaters at the Peace River Campground on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods Mack Martin walks along train tracks surrounded by floodwaters at the Peace River on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods An Okeechobee County sheriff's deputy watches a tractor-trailer drive down a flooded street to reach a community cutoff of by floodwaters from the Peace River in the wake of Hurricane Ian on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods People ride on an airboat along Peace River in the wake of Hurricane Ian on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods People walk along a road closed to vehicle traffic due to flooding from the Peace River in the wake of Hurricane Ian on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods A Peace River campground is shown flooded in the wake of Hurricane Ian on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods An ice and water machine sits in floodwaters in the wake of Hurricane Ian at the Peace River Campground on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods National Guardsmen move cases of water near a flooded road in the wake of Hurricane Ian near the Peace River on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Photos: Days after Hurricane Ian, inland Florida still reeling from floods Utility trucks line up at a road block due to flooding from the Peace River in the wake of Hurricane Ian on October 4, 2022, in Arcadia, Florida. Fifty miles inland, and nearly a week after Hurricane Ian made landfall on the Gulf Coast of Florida, the record-breaking floodwaters in the area are receding to reveal the full effects of the storm. (Sean Rayford/Getty Images)