Police, firemen, rescue workers, military personnel, and volunteers stepped up to help their fellow Americans
Meet The Real American Heroes Saving Harvey Survivors Stranded In Texas
By Bre Payton
After Hurricane Harvey hit Texas over the weekend, rescue efforts are underway to bring survivors to safety amid rising floodwaters. Large swaths of the Lone Star State remain underwater, and rain is expected to continue falling for several more days. The state is anticipating a total of 50 inches of rain in what many are calling an unprecedented flood that has killed at least three people thus far.
Police, firemen, rescue workers, military personnel, and volunteers stepped up to help their fellow Americans. Their stories will restore your faith in humanity.
Chief T and I in water with @HCSOTexas team assisting with rescue. He’d been stuck in 8′ water since 2am. He was relieved. pic.twitter.com/eQ7pAMrCJx
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) August 27, 2017
Sheriff’s officers rescued two small children from their home while it was being engulfed in water.
Extraordinary photo shows Harris County Sheriff’s deputy rescuing two children from high floodwaters in Cypress, TX https://t.co/AC1yFnuJKv pic.twitter.com/L3sbmelLX9
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) August 27, 2017
This man carried a mother and her baby to safety amid waist-high waters.
Houston Hero. pic.twitter.com/pGyUgGcTqb
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) August 27, 2017
Members of the so-called “Cajun Navy,” a group of recreational boat owners and grassroots volunteers who rescued people during the Louisiana Flood of 2016. mobilized to help out thousands of Texans left stranded.
When a reporter asked this man what he planned to do with his boat, he responded: “I’m going to go save some lives.”
Dear God some people give me such hope:
REPORTER: What are you going to do?
HERO: I’m gonna save some lives.pic.twitter.com/Qj2nmvCD97
— Mikel Jollett (@Mikel_Jollett) August 27, 2017
CNN captured the moment this man with a boat saved an elderly man from his flooded home.
A truly amazing moment on CNN ➝ https://t.co/roWhNDwJ85
— Matt McDermott (@mattmfm) August 27, 2017
This deputy reportedly rescued people throughout the night until he could no longer stand.
This deputy worked throughout the night doing high-water rescues in #Houston until he could no longer stand. This is Texas. #HurricaneHarvey pic.twitter.com/uk7Ri7nx24
— CHIEF (@texashabanero) August 28, 2017
Texas police herded cattle from higher ground to save them from drowning.
WATCH: Texas police move a massive herd of cattle to higher ground outside of Houston pic.twitter.com/e6Dz2Dkrlr
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 28, 2017
This man rescued a lost dog from the side of the road and reunited him with his owner by sharing a video of him on Twitter.
Displaced dog jumped into my jeep. Please share to help find owner! #harvey #hurricane #displacedpets pic.twitter.com/0C6Ve9bN78
— Aaron Jayjack (@aaronjayjack) August 26, 2017
Taking “Cash” back to Runge, TX. Owner found. But let’s keep expectations low and wait for the handoff before cheering #powerofsocialmedia pic.twitter.com/cMhfPaKIsc
— Aaron Jayjack (@aaronjayjack) August 26, 2017
Successful reunion with Cash and owner in Runge, TX. Cash was trying to climb out window to owner #harvey #hurricaneharvey #nationaldogsday
— Aaron Jayjack (@aaronjayjack) August 27, 2017
This 15-year-old boy rescued people all day Sunday.
15 yr old Declan and friends have been picking people up in Meyerland since late morning @HoustonChron #houstonflood pic.twitter.com/fOh8lwXBzm
— Mark Mulligan (@mrkmully) August 27, 2017
This pastor searched for people who might be trapped inside their cars.
This man is a preacher checking for people inside cars at 610 & 288 PC Brian Roberson Jr @KPRC2 #Harvey pic.twitter.com/NJx58ZN8N8
— Sara Donchey (@KPRC2Sara) August 27, 2017
The Gonzales family rescued at least nine other families in Houston, Texas.
The boat is full… the Gonzales family just rescued their 9th family of the day #KHOU11 #StandingforHouston pic.twitter.com/URfBbtdQZC
— Brett Buffington (@BrettKHOU) August 27, 2017
This rescue worker saved these two small dogs after helping their owners escape the floodwaters.
A rescue worker carries two dogs to safety after evacuating their family from floodwaters in Houston, Texas. pic.twitter.com/dhoi5P7Ukq
— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 27, 2017
One downtown Houston couple wasn’t affected by the flooding, other than being stuck at home. Instead of just sitting around, they collected wet clothes from people staying at a nearby shelter and dried them.
“We donated extra blankets and pillows and clothes,” Rachel Noise, of Houston, said. “Our neighbors are collecting dog food and dog bowls. Everyone looks homeless down here. They’re either wet and carrying garbage bags of donated items or wet and carrying garbage bags of their belongings. At least we’re doing something instead of watching the horrible news.”
The Texas National Guard will deploy 3,000 more troops to the areas of Texas severely affected by flooding to continue saving those who remain stranded.
#BREAKINGNEWS: #Texas #NationalGuard will increase number of troops to 3,000 in response to #Harvey #TMDHarvey
@USNationalGuard pic.twitter.com/8v11RvmZfR— Texas Military Dept (@TXMilitary) August 27, 2017
