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From the New York Post: A South Carolina pilot who flew stranded Hurricane Helene victims in flood-ravaged North Carolina to safety claims he was told he would be arrested if he continued the rescue missions.
Jordan Seidhom was flying victims out of the devastation over the weekend when local leaders told him there was a flight restriction on the area and that they would have to arrest him if he continued making flights.
“There were other victims. As we were flying out leaving the area, we spotted within 300, 400 yards of their location [people] were waving for help as my son and I were leaving,” Seidhom told Queen City News.
After the storm wreaked havoc on the region, leaving hundreds of people stranded as entire roadways washed away, Seidhom read about a family that was stranded without water on a mountain in Banner Elk, a ski town heavily battered by the storm, and knew he had to take action.
The report explains that Seidhom and his teenage son, Landon, are both volunteer firefighters, and Seidhom once led the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office narcotics unit. Landon, a junior in high school, serves as co-pilot for his father.
On Saturday the father and son flew out bottled water and food to the family stranded in Banner Elk, then set out to find other people who needed help. They flew four victims to safety on Saturday.
On Sunday, they flew out again and stopped to help a husband and wife who were waving them down from their home, which was partially washed away. Since the helicopter is small, Seidhom left his son with the man, and flew the woman to safety. He then planned to return to get his son and the man, one at a time.
But that’s when he was told by an unnamed Lake Lure fire official that if he went back to pick up anyone else, he would be arrested. Seidhom was not about to leave his son behind, and went to get him anyway. But he was forced to leave the man behind, due to the threat of being arrested.
The couple were later identified as Michael and Susan Coffey. Mr. Coffey had to swim across the river in order to evacuate, after Seidhom was not allowed to fly him out.
Below is a news report on the stunning story. WATCH, then scroll down for an update on what happened next.
In a Facebook post Sunday morning, Seidhom announced:
“Ok guys I was instructed to suspend operations and let anyone else know that was coming they would be arrested if they were operating aircraft in the area. At the time of this post I was the only helicopter within 40 miles working. **no current active TFR. I am unsure of the guys name but he had on a lake lure fire department shirt. I’m not going to go after any first responders as everyone else was more than happy to help. Even his own employees told me they would block the area for me to bring people to safety.”
“I was extracting a lady from a collapsing mountain side and Due to the unstable environment I left my copilot on the ground to stay with the husband. When she was brought to safety I was instructed that if I returned to get either person the husband or my copilot I would be arrested.”
“I’m not sure how he was trained but I don’t leave a fellow man behind. My copilot is currently flying me back for more fuel. I have attached the list of needs I was sent just today and it’s very long. Hopefully they change their mind about asking for help before it gets worse. Thanks again for all the support and prayers. As I was flying back for fuel we passed 6 more people waving for help. Fellow pilots be safe out there. We will be on the north side of the mountain where they appreciate help. These people need help and they are turning us away.”
Michael Coffey (the man whose wife was rescued) wrote in a Facebook post Sunday afternoon, “Man. What a weekend. We lost our new river house- completely gone. Got out about 30 min before it went and spent the weekend in our car because all bridges got washed away.
“Susan got a helicopter lift out and I swam across the river with Cleo (our cat) & EMT crew (from Michigan). Just got to a shelter so we are safe and have food, water and cell service. I will fill in details when we’ve had a chance to process everything but grateful for our safety. Grateful for all the amazing rescue workers and volunteers assisting all those affected… and grateful for all the prayers, support and love from my friends and family It sustained us through a stressful time! ❤️❤️😇.”
In an update on Wednesday, Coffey added, “Just found out the name of our hero and his son, and got a beautiful message from his wife. Thank you Jordan Seidhom!! After three days of trying to wave down rescue helicopters you were the first to stop and help with no thought other than “I’m here and I can help”. You gave us hope, rescued my wife (and saved her from swimming across the river 🤣). You will always be in our prayers of gratitude and are a demonstration of true compassion and can-do attitude. 🙏🏽❤️🙏🏽”
Seidhom responded to the news that Coffey had swam across the river.
“Man swims across raging river with family pet to safety after fire official sends away rescue helicopter,” he wrote.
“I urge any leader of any group. Take a breath, step back, assess the situation and make an educated decision. If you are unsure about the decision, look around you. If your coworkers and other people with similar training are telling you to do something take that as a hint. Most good people will lead you in the right direction.”
The Carolina Emergency Response Team then posted a video of an interview with Jordan Seidhom on Wednesday to assure the public that they were NOT the ones who threatened Seidhom with arrest.
Seidhom said he is now working with the Carolina Emergency Response Team and the rescue operation has resumed.
The identity of the official who threatened Seidhom is still unknown.
On Monday, Seidhom shared the following update: “Short post after a long day. Over 1300 request for service and only approximately 13 helicopters flying rescue missions. Multiple volunteer pilots from all over working together.”
“Grateful for Carolina Emergency Response Team that pulled together a command post in less than 24 hours for everyone to work out of. Will be back at it tomorrow. Thank you for all the prayers. Please say a special prayer for the ones who are still waiting on help.”
Another helicopter pilot, Jonathan Howard, posted a video Tuesday night, and voiced his outrage over the lack of rescue helicopters, and said it’s all volunteers using their personal civilian helicopters to help people, but he has only seen a couple National Guard or military helicopters.
Howard is a former U.S. Air Force Combat Controller Specialist, according to his Facebook page. He lives in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and is just doing all he can to help people in North Carolina.
WATH THIS:
Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) reacted, “People are DYING stranded in the mountains of North Carolina. Civilian volunteers are stepping in where they can but why hasn’t Biden-Harris authorized the DOZENS of active duty helicopters sitting at Ft. Bragg (Liberty) just down the road to go help?”
People are DYING stranded in the mountains of North Carolina.
Civilian volunteers are stepping in where they can but why hasn’t Biden-Harris authorized the DOZENS of active duty helicopters sitting at Ft. Bragg (Liberty) just down the road to go help? https://t.co/WjJIo2nZLU
— Rep. Mike Waltz (@michaelgwaltz) October 2, 2024
Rescue Efforts Thwarted | SC pilot flying volunteer supply and rescue missions ordered out of Lake Lure under arrest threat @JodyBarr #WNCStrong #NorthCarolina
STORY: https://t.co/Ur7mFeuRkw pic.twitter.com/JxIEWCoRqq
— Queen City News (@Queen_City_News) October 1, 2024
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