St. Pete Beach, Fla.—Florida neighbors and friends of Kewanee residents Becky and Brett Stegall are praising the couple’s brave actions during Hurricane Helene.

According to Joe Mestas, who reached out to The Kewanee Voice with the story, the Stegalls are owners of a condo at Boca Shores in Pinellas County. As the hurricane approached their area, Brett, who is Vice President of Operations at Macon Construction, acted to protect his and his neighbor’s property.

On the day the storm was to hit, Brett moved vehicles to high ground and helped residents in covering drains in the parking lot, hoping to minimize standing water.

“The first surge was manageable,” Brett said. “But we knew the nighttime storm surge could be catastrophic for those on the first floor.”

It was terrifying, but I knew I had to get in there.

Brett Stegall

Becky and Brett then opened their condo doors to first-floor residents, offering a place that was safe from rising waters.

According to Mestas, as the storm raged on, they spotted a flashing light from a ground-level unit. Facing fierce water pressure and barricaded by sandbags, Brett took action.

“It was terrifying,” he said, “but I knew I had to get in there.”

Brett removed the sandbags and pried the door open. Inside, he found a man and a woman trapped in water up to their necks. He was able to get them safely to his condo. The following day, emergency services arrived and transported the man to a hospital.

“We’re just grateful we could help,” Becky said, “We’re all neighbors; it’s what we do.”

The Stegalls are passionate Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Lightning fans, and often time their visits from Illinois to catch several home games each season.

Mestas said their love for the teams are rivaled only by their dedication to their community and wrote in an email to The Voice:

“As Pinellas County begins the process of recovery, the bravery and compassion displayed by individuals like Becky and Brett Stegall remind us of the strength that emerges in the face of adversity. They are not just residents; they are local heroes, and we owe them our gratitude for their selfless acts during Hurricane Helene’s wrath.”