In today’s chaotic world, we may sometimes feel that real humanity has become a distant memory from the past. But, like a bright rainbow after a rainy day, there are those whose acts of kindness replenish our hope.

A man from New Brunswick, Canada is now being calling “Uber Rob” by locals for his heroic efforts in helping residents isolated by the province’s extreme flooding.

Flooding And Chaos

Record floods have brought chaos to a large swath of southern New Brunswick. Key highways have been submerged in water, forcing many residents to evacuate. But, there are still many residents who were not able to evacuate in time, trapped in their homes, and having no place to go..

Trapped

Residents of the small community, tucked between Nauwigewauk and Hampton in southern New Brunswick, have been cut off from the mainland for days. Floodwaters have submerged all the roads to the mainland, making it impassable for vehicles.

A Catastrophe

With torrential rainfall still in the forecast and the flooding becoming worse by the minute, many parts of the town had already been covered in water. Residents had never experienced anything like this before in their lives, describing the unprecedented flooding as a “catastrophe.”

Things Got Worse

On Monday, people could wade across in their rubber boots. By Tuesday, they needed hip-waders to get through the cold, murky water. And by Wednesday, people were forced to use chest-waders, canoes or kayaks. By Thursday things made a turn for the worse…

More Rain To Come

The water level has reached 5.4 feet and it doesn’t stop there. Emergency officials predict the river will continue to rise from the unforgivable rain, producing record-breaking levels of about six feet by Sunday.

You’re On Your Own

It’s up to residents to find their own way to work, school, and medical appointments. But, the effects of the flooding have caused greater impact on the local senior citizen population, who have not had any access to medication vital to their well being. And with more rain predicted in the upcoming days, residents of the small town felt abandoned and helpless.

A Helping Hand

Most residents have sandbagged their homes in an effort to hold back the rising waters, but with little success. One resident, Kathy Gilmore and a group of neighbors were filling sandbags to protect her home. The water was still a few feet away from her foundations, but with more rainfall in the next few days, she knew the grim reality…

Debris Floating In The Water

It is becoming more challenging as the water level goes up, bringing it more because of debris from people’s yards. “I literally saw the kitchen sink floating by me,” one resident says, “I’m seeing couches, logs, rafters from houses, you name it, it’s out there and it’s just like going through the Everglades”.

Dirty Water

The flood waters have deposited all sorts of debris, including logs, wood, and even propane tanks, creating an extremely unsafe and dire situation for the residents.  “The water is dirty, absolutely,” said Greg MacCallum, director of the province’s Emergency Measures Organization.

A Hero To The Rescue

Feeling neglected by the local officials for their delayed response and lack of support, residents were running out of time. Thankfully, the prayers of the helpless residents had been answered. Not from their local government, but a local gentleman who has earned the nickname “Uber Rob”…

A Symbol Of Hope

Uber Rob had become a symbol of New Brunswick resilience. Rob has been using his powerboat to ferry flood-stranded Darlings Island residents to and from the mainland all week. But unlike Uber, his water taxi is free…

Not Even A Resident

Rob doesn’t even live on Darlings Island, but he grew up on the Hammond River and has never seen the water so high. “I do it because if I was in this situation … I would want somebody to help me,” said Rob . “I had the means to help people, so this is what I’m doing.”

Giving Back

Rob has made the trip a few times an hour to get people off the island in the mornings, then returning them each afternoon and evening. Rob said the profits he makes from a lucrative worm business allow him to give back to the community.

A Schedule

There’s even a schedule posted on a makeshift “Uber Rob” sign at the edge of the water. He has taken time off from his job and assigned himself two shifts per day. Today, he will start his river run at 5:45 a.m., until 10 a.m., and then again from about 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

A Savior

“He’s our saviour,” Patty Johnston said as she stood in the rain, waiting to cross choppy, debris-filled waters to get to her home. After days without access to food and water, residents finally had the opportunity to go back and forth from the mainland to their homes.

Steady Flow Of Passengers

Rob Dekany estimates he transported about 40 people on Monday night alone and had a steady stream of passengers on Tuesday, including a woman in her 80s who had to go to the Saint John Regional Hospital that night.

A Friendly Greeting

Rob can take up to five passengers at a time in his 150-horsepower boat and greets them with a friendly, “How you doin’?” He even supplies life-jackets….

Refuses To Take Money

Considering the ridiculously high price of gas for boats, Rob has spent thousands on the transportation. Yet, he refuses to take any money from his passengers, regardless of how much it is costing him. His selflessness has rallied the community to come together to show him their gratitude…

Grateful Gesture

“He is an absolute godsend to us,  we’re so thankful for his selfless help,” says Tasha Dawn. Tasha is the passenger who suggested taking up a community collection for a gas gift card for Rob after he refused to accept any money. “Boats are hard on gas, and with the number of trips back and forth this is surely going to be expensive for him,” Dawn posted on the Darlings Island Facebook group.

Is The Crisis Over?

With the crisis that rocked the town finally over, countless residents jumped at the idea of giving back to the one person who had put his life on hold to help them when it seemed like everyone else had turned their backs. “He is so amazing we would be more than happy to contribute,” replied Chris Calder. But, Rob was not looking for any praise or recognition, he simply wanted to help…