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Rescue Team Finds Dog Stranded in Tree 20 Feet Up–And Reunites Her With Family After Hurricane Helene
🕑 Added 2024-10-21 20:45:18 +0000 UTC
Humans aren’t the only ‘loved ones being rescued in the wake of Hurricane Helene destruction.
The situation looked desperate for a dog that lived in Jonesboro, Tennessee, when flooding overtook her home—and her family almost gave up hope that she had survived.
But on Wednesday, October 2, after the Nolichucky River receded, the Kingsport Fire Department was out surveying the wreckage with a team of rescue workers.
A K9 dog was helping search for casualties when he began barking uncontrollably.
“The bloodhound was walking, and then started going crazy,” Capt. Zach Helvey told WCYB news.
“I just happened to look up in the tree and, it was like, ‘oh my God, there’s a dog in the tree.’”
The rescue team found a ladder in the debris and used it to climb up—where they lured the pup with food, straight into a firefighter’s arms.
Back on the ground, Athena was cuddling with all the rescuers. “She was thanking us,” said Zach.
The fire department shared images of the rescued dog on Facebook, and Athena’s family spotted the video.
“I was weeping, I was laughing. I was so happy,” the owner said.
Despite watching their home float away ‘like an ark’, they described the reunion with their pooch as “a light at the end of the tunnel.”
