At the same time (the Genesis Flood), Moses is careful to say, “And all flesh died.” He does not say “all souls. …” For some of them, having climbed up into a tower or tree, and seeing their fellows drown before their very eyes, beat their breast, praying to God for the forgiveness of their sins. In such cases God spared their soul, though because of their sins their body still had to die. It is a powerful comfort to know that God will have mercy on the vilest sinners, and that, even though He must put their body to death, He will still be gracious to their soul if they sincerely repent and turn to Him.
Herberger, Valerius The Great Works of God: Parts One and Two: The Mysteries of Christ in the Book of Genesis, Chapters 1-15 295