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Sandy Victim Leaves Touching Note to Family Whose House He Broke Into — Read It Here

Nov. 6, 2012 12:11pm Erica Ritz

Mike Leaves a Message for His Father, People Whose House He Broke Into During Sandy

Cars floating in a flooded parking garage following Hurricane Sandy on Oct. 30, 2012 in the Financial District of New York. (Getty Images File Photo)

(TheBlaze/AP) — Practically naked and soaking wet, a New Jersey man who took refuge in a stranger’s house after he was swept away by Superstorm Sandy left behind a note to his father in case he didn’t survive.

The man, identified only as Mike, swam for his life as waves and currents gripped him in Barnegat Bay after he walked outside when the storm destroyed part of his home in the Green Island section of Toms River.

“I was in the middle of nowhere and there were no lights and the first house I went into was flooded and I just really needed, really needed a break because the waves were going over my head,” he told the radio station WOBM in Toms River.

He eventually ended up at a stranger’s home, tired, thirsty and thinking he was suffering from hypothermia. He wrapped himself in towels and wrote a letter to the homeowner saying he didn’t take anything. He also left a phone number to tell his father that he loved him because he was certain he was going to die.

The touching letter read, verbatim:

WHO EVER READS THIS IM IN THE DARK AS IM WRITING THS I’M DIEING – In 28 Yyrs old my name is mike I had to break in your house I took blankets off the couch I have hypothermia I didn’t take any thing A wave thru me out of my house down the block I don’t think I’m going to make it. The water outside is 10 ft deep at least. Theres no resue. Tell my dad I love him I tryed getting out his number is…his name is Tony. I hope u can read this I’m in the dark. Goodbye. I took a black jacket tooo.

God all mighty help me.

Here’s what the letter looked like:

(Photo via WOBM)

The homeowner returned to find the note but not the man, and she posted a photo of the note on her Facebook page. The radio station WOBM tracked Mike down.

Mike explained that he was rescued by a man named Frank on a personal watercraft who drove him to his house, and the family gave him clothes and hot chocolate.

Mike has been reunited with his family in Bergen County.

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Comments (47)

KangarooJack
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 2:54pm
What a wonderful person Frank is-God Bless Him!
What a wonderful person Mike is-God Bless Him!
What a wonderful person/Dad Tony must be to have such a son as Mike!
What a wonderful person the Homeowner is to post this note and KNOW that their home helped save a life-God Bless them.

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- Taquoshi
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 4:24pm
  Thank you, God, for sparing the lives of the people that you did. And please comfort those who have lost loved one and those who have lost everything else they had.
  
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- Bikkiboo
  Posted on November 7, 2012 at 4:18pm
  This is a touching story, but I don’t understand why he was still there. I don’t know the geography of the area, but everyone knew a storm was coming and should have had plenty of time to either prepare their homes (water, food, energy sources, etc.) or to have packed up their special things to save and left the area. Tornado victims in the midwest would LOVE to have prior warning, but these hurricane victims have no excuse. Maybe these people were far from the area expected to be hit, but I still don’t understand their lack of preparation. Everyone should know exactly what they would save in an emergency – usually it’s photos and special papers that can’t be replaced. Everyone should always be prepared for lack of power, etc.
  
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Woody4USA
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 2:42pm
I can not imagine what Mike and that Mother who lost her 2 boys were going through at that time.
It puts things in perspective does it not?

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QuincySmith
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 2:14pm
Thank you, Frank. Mike may have died without your help. Certainly didn’t get it from oblama, FEMA, or any other government agency.

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- Hanner
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 2:38pm
  I certainly could not read this without crying. Still wiping off a few tears. This hit home with me because I wrote a similar goodbye letter to my family several years ago. I put the letter in my wallet because I knew that one day my brother would search it and find the letter. I’m glad to say that God helped me through that tough time and I was able to throw that letter away. Thank you Lord for helping me in my hour of need and thank your for helping this man also.
  
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IndyMike1
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 1:52pm
must be one Hell of a Father for a sons last wishes to be thinking of him. He surly raised this young man right. Tears in my eyes wishing I could shake both their hands. My kind of neighbors.

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- deskjockey
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 2:06pm
  If you can read this without crying, then we really are lost.
  
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- Zerodawn
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 2:30pm
  deskjockey I did not read this and cry. I smiled at the grace of God shown to this man. What a great story.
  
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Shaqfuey
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 1:51pm
I love to read the innate goodness of Mike and the wonderful rescue effort of Frank. It is sad that disaster is needed to bring the best out of people. I pray there are more coming to help the victims of this storm.

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ncgrammie4
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 1:47pm
During Katrina several families took refuge in our church after breaking down a door. It was the only dry building for miles due to an older man in the congregation who demanded the church be built on pillars to spare it from flooding. The people were able to sleep, survive on whatever food and drink was in the kitchen, and wait to be rescued. They also left a very touching thank you note and did what they could to clean up after themselves. God bless this young man.

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Ghandi was a Republican
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 1:41pm
As opposed to an obama supporter 99%er. “I tuke yer stuff, got ever it”

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- Lothmar
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 3:30pm
  You forgot to mention that said note was written in pheces.
  
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PMSteve
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 1:30pm
I cannot even begin to imagine what these Americans are going through. Stories like this touch my heart. I think, There But For The Grace of God…

I donated $100 to Mercury One through a group donation. It”s all I could afford. My wife and I can stand to lose a few pounds anyway. We have food storage if needed, thanks to GB’s urging.

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cranberry
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 1:14pm
A good man. Hopefully there are many more like him out there..

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joannhh
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:52pm
Wonderful uplifting story of good Americans. Thank you.

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- michael48
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:57pm
  what a great young youg man…65 years old ..crying like a child…Mike…you’re an old mans HERO…good luck with your future…
  
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momrules
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:43pm
How scared Mike was but even in his desperation he showed his innate goodness and decency by telling the homeowners what he had done and why. Mike also called out to the only One who could save him. The man who rescued him was an answer to prayer.

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- PurrrpleMtnMajesty
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:55pm
  My thoughts exactly. Even the way he wrote it, at first he says he took nothing,
  then explains, he took a blanket & a jacket. It was like he meant (initially) he’d taken
  only what he thought he’d absolutely NEED to have a shot at survival, then realizing
  that those items were “still taken”, he wanted his conscience clean. The man truly walked
  the walk. He had his priorities right when he thought his time was ending. He was honest,
  thought about how to comfort his loved ones, owned up to anything he may have done & asked
  our “Almighty God” for help. What an inspirational story. And God bless “FRANK” who in this
  case was an angelic “human” sent his way.
  
  Report this comment
- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:56pm
  That was touching. i wonder how many NY atheists were calling out to God during the storm? Not that they will admit it now. It’s nice to see that there are still honest, God-fearing people in that area.
  
  Report this comment
- Bluefish49
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 1:15pm
  Mike must have wonderful parents that obviously taught him right from wrong….
  
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Dont-hate-on-me-2
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:41pm
This is touching. I’m glad he made it. I’m glad i dont see anywhere in the story that the homeowner is filing charges!

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IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:39pm
What a precious note and what a honest person. God helped send a rescue for him and I hope that his life will get better. I will continue to pray for you and all the victims of the storm. I have tears myself. God Bless all.

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Donald
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:39pm
Gonzo is absolutely right…
I lost everything in 1992 with Hurricane Andrew when the first calamity of a natural disaster was realized, these calamities were realized again in Katrina.
I know the struggles these poor Americans are realixing…
My Prayers are with them

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AmericaMustBeFree
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:36pm
Keep praying for the people who were in Sandy’s path, because they aren’t getting the help that Obama said he sent. They are suffering terribly… water, food etc is hard to find. Where is the Red Cross, Fema?? And Bloomberg, I pray people there have seen the real Bloomberg, who is safely tucked into his nice warm bed at night, eating his steak and potatoes, with dessert for dinner. And who isn’t missing one meal at all!

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forthepeople
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:35pm
FEMA did not learn anything from New Orleans ? and they want to run our Health Care ? God truly help US !

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Gonzo
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:30pm
Christie should be crying over this instead of crying over hugging Springsteen.

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- The-Monk
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:36pm
  You got that right Gonzo !!!!
  
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- Anonymous T. Irrelevant
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:54pm
  I hope Christie realizes that we won’t forget the way he acted during Hurricane Sandy. Not that I can do anything here in Ohio.
  
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- momrules
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:54pm
  Some things you just never forget Gonzo. I’ll never forget how Christie fawned over Obama and cried over Springsteen.
  
  Report this comment
- ONLY4UANDME
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 1:49pm
  Yes and lets not forget the President will be playing basketball tonight while these people freeze.
  
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- deskjockey
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 2:09pm
  Amen. I think it is time that we all admit that as much as we like the irreverence of Christie at times, he’s not one of us.
  
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- deskjockey
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 2:13pm
  4U: Seriously, well said! Let’s not forget that tomorrow he will still be President. It is like he is at the end of marathon and he needs a break. Really? My a$$ would be on the first plane to NYC to hand out blankets. We need to never forget who this man is…
  
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HotFixIt
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:30pm
This story brought out all the emotions from this Sandy monster… I kept thinking of all the people who went through similar experiences and did not survive. … and I cried for them

Pray for all of them.

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Jim in Houston
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:29pm
I am surprised Obama didn’t take credit for the rescue and have a photo op with him, since all he has done was have a few photos taken, then haul @ss to a fund raiser.

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- johnpaulkuchtajr
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:39pm
  No, the Sewer Rat-in-Chief has a basketball scheduled with some of his rat pack.
  
  He’s avoiding the folks in NY / NJ as well as having to answer questions about the four Ameicans he killed in Beghazi.
  
  Just another day on the farm for a soon-to-be-unemployed leader of the free world.
  
  I know. Romney can appoint him Ambassador to Libya and he can bring Michelle with him! She so loves to travel to exotic places on our dime!
  
  Report this comment
- PurrrpleMtnMajesty
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:50pm
  With all his publicity stunts strickly devised ONLY to make him look good in the press,
  (Rather than deliver any message of true substance), I’d say Putin may have a son or brother
  that he’s not aware of….. Both love to glam it up for the camera regardless of the situation.
  They may have better suited work in Bollywood.
  
  Report this comment
BlackCrow
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:26pm
It’s Bush’s fault! It’s the Republicans fault. It’s those evil Tea Baggers!

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pwatkins
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:25pm
May God Bless all of these people. My prayers are with them all.

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The-Monk
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:24pm
Wow !! America needs more people like this. : )

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Tractorboy
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:22pm
Even in the dark, God heard you. nice story, God Bless

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perry1980
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:18pm
Wow. how sad. God Bless him

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KeithOlberdink
Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:14pm
I hate seeing good American’s suffer like this. My prayers are with them.

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- KeithOlberdink
  Posted on November 6, 2012 at 12:18pm
  Americans – not quite sure how I did that – stressful day.
  
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