Incredible moment Washington state Coast Guard hangs below helicopter to save driver sitting on roof of his car after biblical flooding caused by ‘Pineapple Express’ atmospheric storm
A driver was rescued from the roof of his truck just before raging floodwaters swept him away in a dramatic helicopter intervention captured on a drone camera.
Pacific Northwest Coast Guard teams have shared footage of the incredible moment when crews used an MH-60 Jayhawk to carry a man to safety in the coastal city of Astoria, located in Oregon, just across the southern border from Washington state.
The area was the epicenter of a deadly atmospheric event known as the “Pineapple Express” that continues to rip through the Pacific Northwest.
Washington and Oregon were lashed by more than eight inches of rain early this week as flash flooding turned roads into rivers and killed one man who drowned in Portland's Johnson Creek Monday morning.
USCG Pacific Northwest said they rescued five people Tuesday under biblical circumstances, including the man stranded on the roof of his truck.
A terrified motorist who became stuck on top of his truck when raging waters threatened to submerge him has been rescued in a dramatic helicopter mission
The Washington State Coast Guard has shared footage of the incredible moment when crews used an MH-60 Jayhawk to carry a man to safety in the coastal city of Astoria, just across the southern border in Oregon.
USCG Pacific Northwest said they rescued five people from heavy flooding Tuesday, including the man stranded on the roof of his truck
The area was the epicenter of a deadly atmospheric event known as a 'Pineapple Express' that continues to batter the Pacific Northwest
Incredible footage shows the Jayhawk propellers whirring several feet in the air above a large body of brown water that stretches as far as the eye can see.
The motorist can be seen huddled on top of his truck as the flood threatens to submerge it, with the roof of the vehicle just visible above the rising water level.
A first responder wearing fins and diving gear is gradually lowered from the helicopter.
He battles strong gusts of wind that send water spraying in all directions to reach the terrified motorist.
Finally, the rescuer lands on top of the truck, speaks to the stranded man, attaches him to his harness and lifts him to safety.
They rise into the air as crew members in the helicopter hoist them onto the plane.
The footage also shows brief moments of the rescue efforts of four more people, who were flown into the Jayhawk with baskets, harnesses and life jackets.
USCG Pacific Northwest said they rushed to rescue the first man after receiving a call from the Cathlament Fire Department at 10:20 a.m. requesting reinforcements.
A first responder wearing fins and diving gear is gradually lowered from the helicopter. He battles strong gusts of wind that send water spraying in all directions to reach the terrified motorist
The footage also shows brief moments of the rescue efforts of four more people, who were flown into the Jayhawk with baskets, harnesses and life jackets.
Firefighters said four people had to be rescued after they became trapped near their home, surrounded by five feet of water.
But when flight crews arrived on the scene at 11:08 a.m., they were immediately diverted to help the man trapped in the truck who needed more urgent help.
The man, along with the four people from the house, were transported to the Astoria Coast Guard Air Station, where emergency medical services were on hand. They are all in stable conditions.
The Coast Guard advises the public to heed weather warnings and check www.weather.gov for flood warnings. In case of an emergency, call 911.
Tuesday's rescue comes after an Oregon man was swept to his death on Monday, and millions of people in the Pacific Northwest remain under a flood warning.
Emergency services in Portland, Oregon were unable to rescue the man from the flooded Johnson Creek on Monday morning.
His body was recovered later that afternoon, according to the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, after a witness reported a man floating on a cushion of lawn furniture as he was swept downstream.
USCG Pacific Northwest said they rushed to rescue the first man after receiving a call from the Cathlament Fire Department at 10:20 a.m. requesting backup
Incredible footage shows the Jayhawk propellers whirring several feet in the air above a large body of brown water that stretches as far as the eye can see
The man's friend, Jeffrey Tristant, told KATU that he was helping homeless campers in the area when he was taken away “in the blink of an eye.”
The Clackamas County Water Rescue Team was dispatched to the area, but after both of their vessels turned around, rescuers determined it was unsafe to continue.
The search and rescue operation turned into a recovery effort before the crew managed to find the man's body.