Najwa Hashem Al-Riyadh newspaper The Rabigh tragedy brought to memory the devastating Jeddah floods three years ago that claimed the lives of many people. Those who suffered from the Jeddah floods are still suffering psychologically, especially families who lost their loved ones. The floods brought to memory the people who drowned, the homes that were destroyed and the heroes who sacrificed their lives to save people in distress. Yousef Al-Oufi, a 31-year-old Saudi, drowned while trying to save others during the Rabigh flooding. His death brought to memory the story of the young Pakistani hero Farman Ali Khan who died after saving 14 people from the Jeddah floods. Yousef Al-Oufi and his four brothers continued saving people until Yousef was swept away by the floods. In an interview with Al-Arabiya channel, Ahmad Al-Harbi talked about his flirtation with death when he managed to save 20 families from the Rabigh floods using his water truck. He recalled the painful experience the families went through when their cars were swept by the floods. He managed to save some people while helplessly watching others swept away to their death. Floodwaters almost claimed his life but he managed to escape. Floods in the western region are now striking fear in the hearts of residents. I remember months ago when there was a rumor it might rain in Jeddah, many families refused to allow their children to go to school. Some schools released the children and sent text messages to parents to pick up their children after the first raindrop fell. Jeddah residents do not wish for rain because they are afraid the city might drown. They would rather enjoy rain in other cities. Some Jeddah residents are now watching the weather forecast more than before. When they hear that it will rain the next day or after two days, they begin shopping to stock up for a long stay at home. If there is an event that day, it will be canceled because they do not want to be stuck in the rain. I remember last year there was a rumor of possible rain. The same day there was a wedding involving one of my relatives. It rained very lightly but the majority of guests did not show up because they were afraid of a disaster. When it gets cloudy the streets gets empty and people barricade themselves inside their homes, even though it has not rained for two years in Jeddah. We should never forget those who sacrificed their lives to save others. They should be honored and remembered. We should remember heroes like Yousef Al-Oufi and Ahmad Al-Harbi who put their lives in danger to save others.
