A 21-year-old college student has been praised as a hero after singlehandedly running a hotel for 32 hours straight in the midst of a devastating storm.
Satchel Smith's father dropped him off for his shift at Homewood Suites in Beaumont, Texas around 3 pm on September 18, where he was due to work until 11. But Tropical Storm Imelda then struck the area, unleashing torrential flooding that trapped Smith and 90 other guests inside the hotel.
Hotel guest Angela Chandler praised Smith's composure on Facebook, and her post was shared more than 13,000 times.
Satchel Smith manned the hotel's desk and kitchen for 32 straight hours.
"He has manned the phones, answered each of our questions, ensured that we have had a hot cup of coffee or tea, and helped serve us a hot breakfast," said Chandler. "He has handled this situation with grace, kindness, and a beautiful smile on his face."
After the marathon shift and appraisal from guests, Smith's co-worker finally made it into work on Friday morning. Smith stuck around for a few hours to assist her, took a nap, and then went back to work until his family could pick him up.
Tropical Storm Imelda was the fifth-wettest tropical cyclone on record in the continental United States, causing devastating and record-breaking floods in Southeast Texas.
Homewood Suites by Hilton is an American chain of all-suite residential-style hotels managed by Hilton Worldwide.
