N.J. Sandy survivor left behind goodbye note

TOMS RIVER, N.J. Nearly 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.

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"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 radio station WOBM in Toms River.



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He eventually ended up at a stranger's home, tired, thirsty and 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 letter read: "Who ever reads this I'm DIEING — I'm 28 yrs old my name is Mike. I had to break in to 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 10ft deep at least. There's no resue. Tell my dad I love him and I tryed geting out. His ... name is Tony. I hope u can read this I'm in the dark. I took a black jacket too. Goodbye. God all mighty help me."

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 tracked Mike down.

He said he was rescued by a man named Frank on a personal watercraft who drove him to a house, gave him clothes and hot chocolate.

Mike was reunited with his family in Bergen County.

The center of Sandy -- formerly a hurricane -- swept through New Jersey last week, making the Garden State one of the most ravaged by the storm. Twenty-four N.J. deaths were blamed on Sandy and at least 500,000 still remain without power.

[jgnv]

"Mike was reunited with his family in Bergen County."

This is a story of survival and gratitude. I hope to read more stories like his in the coming days and weeks as we continue to absorb the horror and destruction this unprecedented event has created for so many in this area.

[Daid132]

I'm so glad that God answered his cry for help. I wish He would help me out of my anquish and send an angel to see to my needs.

I'm the sole-caregiver for my wife, who suffers from Alzheimer's Disease, and I'm suffering in my own "Sandy".

[jgnv]

There is always help available, but you have to ask for it, which is the hardest part. Please make every effort to get the assistance you need so that you are not overwhelmed by the unfortunate circumstances you are facing. Your wife is also dealing with her own "Sandy" in that she has lost the capacity to recall the most precious person in her life which is you. This is not something you have to deal with on your own. Please promise you will seek the help you need as soon as possible. Remember, you are not alone.

[MittScrony]

This was the best story yet that I have heard coming from this disaster.

And a shout out to our Heavenly Father for hearing Mike's cry for help!