The family of Joshua Bennett, the 34-year-old Palm Bay man who died Monday after his pickup truck became trapped in flood waters during this week’s historic storm, has launched a fundraiser to support his wife and four children.
The GoFundMe campaign, titled “In Memory of Joshua Bennett,” was started Tuesday by Allyssa Petit-Maitre, the sister of Bennett’s wife. As of Thursday afternoon, it had raised more than $56,000 toward a $90,000 goal from more than 300 donors.
A Frantic Call, Then Silence
Bennett called his wife at 8:51 a.m. Monday and told her he was trapped in flood waters and could not open his doors or windows. The call then cut out. His family and police searched for him throughout the day.
Palm Bay police later confirmed Bennett was found dead inside his truck in a flooded area of southeast Palm Bay. In the fundraiser, the family wrote that his vehicle became submerged in a river.
Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina identified Bennett and 78-year-old Archie Richards as the two people who died in the flooding, ABC News reported. Emergency crews rescued hundreds of people from flooded areas using boats and high-water vehicles.
A Father of Four
Bennett leaves behind his wife, a son and three daughters. According to the family, all three of his daughters have special needs and depend on consistent, specialized care. His wife is a stay-at-home mother who has dedicated herself to caring for their children.
The family described Bennett as generous and adventurous, someone who always wanted the people around him to feel comfortable and cared for, and above all a loving father who adored his children.
The family says money raised will go toward making sure his wife and children have a safe, stable home and that the children continue to receive the care they need as the family adjusts to life without him.
Organizers say any donation, no matter the amount, will help. Those who cannot give are asked to share the fundraiser or keep the family in their prayers.
A Historic Storm
The National Weather Service described the rainfall that hit southern Brevard County as a 1-in-1,000-year event. Three-day rainfall totals reached 28.93 inches in Malabar and 28.13 inches in Palm Bay, according to AccuWeather.
Flood alerts were upgraded to a flash flood emergency for Palm Bay and surrounding communities Monday morning, and Palm Bay police reported vehicles getting stuck and some sinking in flooded roadways, The Weather Channel reported.
Officials continue to urge residents never to drive through flooded roads. Water can be deeper and faster-moving than it appears, and just a foot of moving water can carry away most vehicles.
To support the Bennett family, visit the In Memory of Joshua Bennett GoFundMe page.
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