In the midst of Hurricane Florence, six dogs whose owners had abandoned the pets in a locked cage were rescued by both brave and big-hearted volunteers in North Carolina.
The rising flood waters almost drowned the dogs but thankfully, rescuers were able to locate and free the distressed dogs who were found standing on their hind legs up against the front of the cage, crying out for help. The pets were located at a property believed to be abandoned by its owners in Leland, North Carolina.
Journalist Marcus DiPaola posted the following to Twitter:
“Rescued six dogs in Leland, NC, after the owner LEFT THEM locked in an outdoor cage that filled with flood water that was rapidly rising. We got them out, but by the time we left, the water was so high that they would have drowned. BRING YOUR PETS WITH YOU!”
The below video shows Ryan Nichols, a volunteer rescuer of Longview, Texas, cutting through the water to save the whimpering dogs. Shortly after the dogs were freed, they can be seen frantically swimming towards the volunteers.
Rescued six dogs in Leland, NC, after the owner LEFT THEM locked in an outdoor cage that filled with flood water that was rapidly rising.
We got them out, but by the time we left, the water was so high that they would have drowned. BRING YOUR PETS WITH YOU! #HurricaneFlorence pic.twitter.com/tRibGxCjXy
— Marcus DiPaola (@marcusdipaola) September 16, 2018
With flood waters steadily rising,the hurricane has left chaos in its path, with seventeen dead in North Carolina.
Close to 50 people were stranded in the area where DiPaola and his team of rescuers found the dogs and of those stranded, all were airlifted to safety by helicopter. Meanwhile, 26,000 people had to evacuate their homes and migrate to shelters.
DiPaola continues to share photos of North Carolina’s rising waters, along with other creatures he and his team have successfully rescued.
Murraytown, NC is completely flooded. Water still rising. People being evacuated tell me there's still people in the neighborhood but I can't find any. pic.twitter.com/GQtPSl0J9k
— Marcus DiPaola (@marcusdipaola) September 17, 2018
As the storm moves onto land, Hurricane Florence will continue to offload large amounts of rainfall and authorities warn that once the rain stops, rivers will continue to rise.
With the risk of landslides, tornadoes as well as flash floods, multiple roads have been forced to close as well as dams and bridges in danger of collapsing due to the rising water levels.
About one million people lost power at the height of the storm and flooding has wrecked towns as rescue operations work around the clock to save those stranded as well as restore power.
Reporter DiPaola additionally shared with Twitter today the rescue of a small cat that was rescued from the rising waters.
Just rescued a feral kitten moments ago in Burgaw, NC. Video to come once I get a place with better service. I came to North Carolina to cover a story, not become the story, for obvious ethical reasons. But I'm not letting a kitten die. pic.twitter.com/NmYQvKG4mX
— Marcus DiPaola (@marcusdipaola) September 17, 2018
Thousands of National Guard troops are reported to be in the area to assist with residents, along with a number of local volunteers.
Shared on DiPaola’s twitter, volunteers are getting creative. In the below video, you can see a family and their three dogs being rescued by a large truck through the dangerous, muddy waters.
Dog and family being rescued by a dump truck in Burgaw, NC. #HurricaneFlorence pic.twitter.com/2ZVXeKAHtI
— Marcus DiPaola (@marcusdipaola) September 17, 2018
Our thoughts are with all those affected by the recent events in North and South Carolina.
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