Incredible footage has been released by the US Coast Guard as they hovered over Florida and flew around to rescue people from the driveways of their homes in the wake of Hurricane Ian.
Video released by the US Coast Guard shows a heroic MH-65 Dolphin crew flying to Sanibel Island, which was essentially cut off after Hurricane Ian’s winds and storm surge ripped it to pieces.
This prompted massive rescue efforts, some of which were captured in video posted online by rescuers.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Kilbane, sporting a GoPro on his helmet, is lowered into one of the storm-ravaged neighborhoods to find a young man named Colin with his grandmother standing in the driveway of their home next to the family dog.
The US Coast Guard shows a Miami-based crew in an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter rescuing several people from the cut-off island of Sanibel in southwest Florida
A number of rescues are pictured including a grandmother, grandson and their dog
Tyler tells the young man that he did a good job signaling for help from the ground
The family seems pleased that rescuers have finally come to their aid
The grandmother is to be placed in the rescue cage next
The woman braces herself before being lifted into the helicopter
‘Well done!’ Kilbane told the pair as he commended them for catching the crew’s attention with a reflector.
The security guard asks them if they know anyone else was left in the neighborhood, to which the residents respond that they didn’t.
The woman was the first to be placed in the rescue cage, which was then hoisted a few hundred meters higher into the helicopter.
Kilbane then returned to retrieve the dog along with grandson Colin, who next climbed into the basket to be taken to safety.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Tyler Kilbane gives the signal to set up the basket
Colin clings to his dog while sitting in the rescue cage
Petty Officer Kilbane’s crew welcome him back aboard the rescue helicopter
Colin keeps his dog close before being hoisted aboard the helicopter
Next, the crew rescues another couple whose homes are surrounded by floodwaters.
Tyler informs them that there are thousands that need saving.
He advises them to pack a bag with dry clothes and remember to take their phones, wallets and ID with them.
The couple evacuate through an open window, taking their family cat with them before they too are hoisted away.
The Coast Guard has described its rescue effort as a military operation. Not everyone has access to cell phones, so some had to call for help from the ground with mirrors and broken glass.
Crews fly low over communities completely cut off by flood waters
A man comes out of a house into knee deep water with the house to be rescued
In a second rescue, a woman is flown next to a transport box with her cat
The woman can be seen holding on to her tote bag just before take off
She can be seen grasping the sides of the rescue basket and preparing for what is to come
In another rescue, a man greets Tyler’s arrival with a warm handshake. The neighborhood appears to be devastated, with fallen trees surrounding the area.
The man named Rick lets his wife into the basket first.
The helicopter’s rescue cage lowers to allow her to board before being given earplugs to wear and reassured that they will take care of you.
‘Hold on tight!’ he yells before she is hoisted away.
Next, her husband leaves their damaged home, dressed only in a t-shirt, shorts, and a baseball cap.
The helicopter hovers overhead as he walks down a driveway covered in sand washed ashore by the storm surge.
The basket lowers and he climbs aboard, giving Tyler one last look for reassurance before he’s reunited with his wife aboard the chopper.
Next, a couple is said to be ejected from a house surrounded by fallen trees and a driveway caked with sand washed ashore by the storm surge
A man greeted the crew with a warm handshake as he met Tyler
The man’s wife is saved first as she is placed in the basket and holds on
A man is rescued next and reaches for a bag containing essentials, including a set of dry clothes
Both fear and joy can be seen on the man’s face as he is winched to safety
Tyler and his crewmate fist bump after a well done rescue round