Streets are flooded near Peachtree Creek after Hurricane Helene brought heavy rain the night of September 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.
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FOX Weather meteorologist Bob Van Dillen was broadcasting from Atlanta early this morning when he heard a woman calling for help in the darkness.
As the city woke up to torrential rain and its first-ever flash flood, the unidentified woman drove her car into deep floodwaters and got stuck.
The half-submerged car was visible and his cries for help were audible, in the background of Van Dillen’s live shot.
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He yelled at her – and explained to viewers – that he had called 911 and was waiting for firefighters to arrive.
“You’re okay, you’re okay,” he shouted to her, then stopped and sighed toward the camera. “I’m going to see if I can help this lady out a little more, guys.”
He left the camera.
Moments later, the weatherman could be seen wading through chest-deep water, carrying the woman on his back.
Afterward, Van Dillen – who is 6’1” – said he overcame his initial concerns about the current and water temperature; it was warmer than expected.
“As soon as I started going, I was like, ‘Screw that, I’m going to get her,’ and I unbuckled her seat belt, took her out, put her on my back and She was fine,” he said. “Everything went well.”
He said the woman was fine, just cold. He gave her his shirt and put her in a car, where they were waiting for a fire truck and her husband.
When the husband arrived, Van Dillen showed him on camera. The man came over and hugged Van Dillen’s hand, thanking him repeatedly.
This story originally published as part of NPR’s live coverage of Hurricane Helene, September 27, 2024.
