The high school freshman said the water reached his chest as questions continue over the district’s response to Monday’s severe flooding.
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL — A Port St. Lucie high school freshman who was recorded swimming through deep floodwater after getting off a school bus is speaking publicly about the frightening trip home, as his family and other residents question how students were transported during Monday’s severe weather.
Noah John said floodwater had already reached the bus steps when he prepared to get off. After entering the water, he encountered a deeper section near a ditch and had to swim. “I’m scared; I just wanted to get out of the water,” Noah told WPBF. Video of the incident spread widely online and added to concerns about the decisions made as flooding worsened across St. Lucie County.
The episode occurred Nov. 2 as heavy rain caused widespread flooding in Port St. Lucie and nearby communities. The National Weather Service had warned early that morning that torrential rain could cause localized flooding. By the afternoon, forecasters were issuing flash flood warnings for parts of St. Lucie and Martin counties, with several inches of rain already reported and additional rainfall expected.
Noah said the bus driver asked whether he wanted to be dropped off at the flooded location, and he agreed. Once outside, however, the depth increased. A witness recorded him moving through the water as he made his way toward home. Earlier reporting on the video also showed neighbors expressing concern about students being allowed into water deep enough to force at least one child to swim.
Noah’s father, Romeo John, said the family had not expected conditions to deteriorate so sharply when his son left for school earlier that morning. He later criticized communication surrounding the storm and said he was shocked when he saw video of his son in the floodwater. The family’s account has added to broader questions from parents about whether buses should have traveled through flooded neighborhoods or whether students should have remained at school until conditions improved.
St. Lucie Public Schools Superintendent Jon Prince apologized to families during a news conference Tuesday. Prince said the district’s decision to hold classes Monday was based on information available from the county Emergency Operations Center and the National Weather Service. “I completely understand the frustration families feel,” Prince said, adding that the situation caused significant stress for families.
The timing of the weather threat has been part of the district’s explanation. WPBF reported that a flood advisory for St. Lucie County was issued after the school day had begun and that a flash flood warning followed later in the morning. National Weather Service products show that increasingly serious warnings continued throughout the day as storms produced heavy rain over the region.
By 1:32 p.m. Monday, the National Weather Service said radar indicated thunderstorms had produced between 3 and 7 inches of rain in parts of St. Lucie and Martin counties, with another 2 to 4 inches possible. A later warning covering southeastern St. Lucie County said between 4 and 8 inches had fallen in the warned area. Forecasters warned that streets, highways, underpasses and other low-lying areas could flood.
Port St. Lucie officials also urged residents Monday to stay off roads unless travel was necessary and warned against entering standing water. The city said public works crews were inspecting and clearing drainage systems, grates and inlets as heavy rain continued. The warnings underscored the risk facing drivers, pedestrians and residents as water accumulated rapidly across parts of the city.
The viral video has since become a focal point in criticism of the school district’s response. Prince has said the weather event was difficult to predict at the scale that ultimately developed, while parents and residents have continued asking how transportation decisions were made once roads began flooding. The district’s handling of the storm and its communication with families remain under scrutiny as the community recovers from the flooding.
Noah made it home after crossing the flooded area, but his experience has kept attention on how students were transported during the storm and whether procedures may change before the next major weather emergency. No additional district action tied specifically to his bus route had been publicly confirmed as of Friday evening.
Author note: Last updated November 6, 2026.