‘Don’t forget about us’: Swift water rescue team recalls survivor’s parting words

CALERA, Ala. ( WIAT ) — The Calera Fire Department shared photos and video of their recent rescue and recovery mission to North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.

While all the swift water rescue teams from Central Alabama are now back home, they’ll never forget what they witnessed after being on the ground for seven days.

“Remember those people in your prayers, and remember all the first responders never seen anything this dramatic,” Calera Fire Department Chief Sean Kendrick said.

Chief Kendrick spent three days with his team of six who were also on the ground for seven days. He says the folks they left behind — who would survive the disaster — do not want to be forgotten.

“The locals described it to us as a tidal wave [coming down the mountain],” Kendrick said.

Kendrick said his team had to go by helicopter to access the hard-to-reach area located 20 miles east of Asheville in the Garren Creek Fire District near Black Mountain in Buncombe County.

“They would fly our guys up to the mountainous areas and they would find houses and evacuate them or they would deliver food and water or medical equipment if it was needed,” he said.

By the time they arrived, the water had receded so there was no need to use boats. Lt. Daryl Ray with the Calera Fire Department said locals talked about how quickly the water rose.

“We talked to one lady that when she started to leave, she actually got knocked down and was able to swim out of it,” he said.

Lt. Ray said that most of the houses in the valley were washed off their foundations downstream, resulting in large piles of trees mixed with debris from homes and even vehicles. He said around four to six victims were recovered underneath the debris piles.

The team also conducted wellness checks on survivors cut off by washed-out roads. He said many of them lost everything, including their homes and loved ones.

“The main thing they need is prayer,” Lt. Ray said.

The Hoover Fire Department also sent seven team members to assist in the relief effort. Chief Clay Bentley said it was their honor to service those in need and was glad the team had the resources and training to respond.

“In our opinion, it needs to be a coordinated effort where you’re giving to an entity that can handle the logistics and the supplies for the individuals who need them,” Chief Bentley said.

Other fire departments who assisted in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene included teams from Birmingham, Mobile, Mountain Brook, Prattville and Vestavia Hills. They are all part of the Alabama Mutual Aid System.

You can help the victims of Hurricane Helene by donating to the American Red Cross. CBS 42’s parent company Nexstar Media is teaming up with the national nonprofit to offer critical resources in ten states. Click here to learn more and donate.

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