In a heroic act of bravery, Fox Weather Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen rescued a woman trapped in her car amidst the devastating floodwaters brought on by Hurricane Helene.
The incident occurred on Friday while Van Dillen was reporting on the storm's impact in Atlanta, Georgia. His quick thinking and courage were captured live on television, providing a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos.
According to the Daily Caller, Van Dillen was in the midst of his coverage when he heard a woman's desperate cries for help. Without hesitation, he put down his microphone and dialed 9-1-1. I just put the microphone down and called 9-1-1, Van Dillen recounted. Recognizing the emergency services were likely overwhelmed, he decided to intervene personally. I know that those guys are swamped, so we waited about five minutes. She was getting panicked a little bit more because the water was coming up a little bit higher, he explained.
Despite the strong currents and rising water levels, Van Dillen, who stands at 6-foot 1-inch, managed to reach the woman and pull her to safety. The live footage showed the meteorologist wading through the deep floodwaters, with the woman clinging to him as they moved towards dry land.
The emotional reunion between the woman and her husband was also captured on air. Look, reunited, Van Dillen said, as the couple embraced briefly. The husband expressed his gratitude to Van Dillen, who revealed that the floodwater had reached up to his chest during the rescue. Despite the ordeal, the weatherman continued his reporting duties, providing updates on the flood.
The water is like 80 degrees. Its not cold, but Im freezing right now, Van Dillen said. She was sitting in there by herself, strapped into her car. So I know she was cold, he added, insisting that anyone in his position would have done the same.
Hurricane Helene, which was upgraded to hurricane status by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on Wednesday, has wreaked havoc in the region. NOAA experts warned that Helene had the potential to escalate to a category three or four hurricane upon making landfall in Florida. In anticipation of the extreme weather, Atlanta officials had closed public schools on Thursday and Friday. Amidst the destruction and fear, Van Dillen's act of bravery serves as a reminder of the resilience and courage inherent in the human spirit.
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