Hurricane Ian, now a tropical storm, left a path of destruction as it slowly made its way across the Florida peninsula.
The Category 4 storm brought with it a storm surge of up to 12 feet, which not only flooded streets but in some cases pushed houses off their foundations. The extreme wind only made the damage more significant, leaving millions without power.
Since before the storm made landfall, local and national reporters have been on the ground updating everyone on the conditions. Many heeded the warnings, while some did not.
During a broadcast, a reporter from WESH 2 News in Orlando rescued a woman whose car became trapped in floodwaters.
Despite the impact of the storm, there are some jobs that must carry on no matter what. However, extreme caution still needs to be observed.
Tony Atkins, who joined the Florida newsroom one month ago, found himself in the middle of a news story when he was covering the storm’s aftermath early Thursday morning.
Atkins and his crew had been reporting from a flooded Orange Ave for several hours when he saw a vehicle attempt to drive through the floodwaters.
“This car eventually got stuck, then I saw a hand come out and I heard help,” he recalled.
“I looked around for a number of things — alligators and things like that. Also downed power lines. But most importantly I looked for law enforcement that could help rescue that woman. But no one was there. It was so dark. She did ask for help and I just didn’t know her status.”
Once he realized there was no one to help the woman that’s when he “just decided to slowly make my way out there and just help her out.”
He slowly approached her car, helped her climb onto his back, and waded through the nearly waist-deep water back to shallow water where he dropped her off.
‘I’m just glad she…got to work safe.’
Atkins learned the woman was a nurse, and she was trying to get to work when her vehicle became trapped in high water.
It’s extremely important to remember to turn around, don’t drown.
Do not drive around barriers blocking flooded roads, and do not drive on roads that are flooded. All it takes is a foot of rushing water to sweep a car away.
Tony, you are a hero! Thank you for stepping up and saving this woman’s life!
Please share and thank Tony for doing the right thing.
