In the neighborhoods surrounding Lake Katherine, one of the most heavily flooded areas in Columbia during October 2015’s historic “thousand-year flood,” locals went from house to house on Jon boats and pontoons to rescue neighbors trapped in their flooded homes. 

Marwan Marzagao was among those who teamed up with a small group of men to help save others from harm’s way. The following year, he reflected on this experience.. This interview was originally produced for Narrative by Olivia Aldridge.