These 10 Images From the Hurricane Harvey Rescue Efforts Prove America is GOOD at Heart

Photo Credit: Harris County Sheriffs Office/Twitter
Photo Credit: Harris County Sheriffs Office/Twitter
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Writer

Much has been done by the media and others in recent months to pit Americans against one another. With coverage nearly entirely devoted to stories of incidents that divide us, it can be difficult to remember that we are, in fact, one nation under God.

While hate and division certainly exist, people full of love and charity is what this country is truly made up of. Fortunately or unfortunately, times of tragedy and natural disasters often serve as opportunities to see such goodness. As southeast Texas continues to struggle with the catastrophic devastation brought on by Hurricane Harvey, let these remarkable moments of strangers helping strangers and coming together for the common good remind you that we are all in this together.

Since the storm made landfall on Friday, there have been countless stories of first responders, authorities, and Good Samaritans using any means necessary to rescue those who became stranded in their homes and vehicles:

On what is normally a bustling freeway in Houston, Coast Guard helicopters and brave firefighters on the ground dramatically saved a motorist who was found clinging to his car:

With hundreds of thousands of people stranded, Texas state and local officials have gone so far as to ask local residents with shallow water or flat bottomed vessels to partake in the search and rescue efforts. On Sunday, CNN carried a rescue in Dickinson live on the air. A journalist and his team accompanied a local man named Austin, who heeded the call and began canvasing neighborhoods to find those in need, in his boat. Austin had reportedly transported upwards of a dozen people to safety on Sunday alone, with flood waters rising to their waists:

With residents encouraged to evacuate via their roofs rather than through their front doors, Coast Guard helicopters have been hard at work raising people to safety:

Faced with rising flood waters and imminent danger, locals were forced to make split second decisions regarding what to take with them as they were evacuated. As Faithwire reported, a man by the name of Jeremiah was approached by a TV crew as he and his six-year-old son sought refuge. Despite having lost everything, Jeremiah remained humble and grateful.

“We thank God, we thank God — this is all we have,” he said, nothing they don’t even know where they will go next. “We lost the car, all the clothes…everything is gone…but we are thankful.”

Though recovery efforts are just beginning, resources are already dwindling in the Lone Star State, but help is pouring in from all over the country. According to WABC, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has ordered members of the the New York Air National Guard to head to both Texas and Louisiana armed with helicopters, watercraft, food, and supplies. Additionally, FDNY firefighters and NYPD officers will be among the 120 emergency workers New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is sending to Texas to help in the response to Harvey:

Reporters and news crews are also braving the dangerous conditions in and around Houston. Faithwire reported KHOU-TV reporter Brandi Smith was broadcasting live from a flood-ravaged area of Houston when she noticed the truck submerged in water with the driver trapped inside. She quickly sprang into action, flagging down a Harris County Sheriff’s Office vehicle, which was passing with a boat attached. In addition to giving viewers a play-by-play of the dramatic rescue on the air, she also shared footage on her Facebook page:

As many of you know, KHOU 11 News was evacuated due to flooding. That meant my photographer Mario and I were the only ones left on air for … well … I don't even know how long. The #KHOU11 signal cut out just as Harris County Sheriff's Office crews got their rescue boat in the water to pull a semi driver out of his flooded cab. I've had SO many people asking if he made it out OK and I wanted to share the video. (We kept going and rolling until the camera's battery died, not knowing we'd been knocked off the air.) They pull him out around the 4:40 mark. THANK GOD for that crew.

Posted by Brandi Smith KHOU on Sunday, August 27, 2017

In an effort to get to safety, countless people have been forced to make the heart wrenching decision to leave pets and livestock behind. A Facebook post showing an industrious dog walking the streets with a bag food went viral over the weekend and has come to serve as a powerful reminder of the strength and resolve of the Texas people:

This dog is walking around Sinton TX carrying a entire bag of dog food with him. LOL #refugeePSA: Owner is found. He is not a stray he just got out on his street.Dogs name is Otis.

Posted by Tiele Dockens on Saturday, August 26, 2017

A video from NBC News, meanwhile, shows police vehicles escorting a herd of cattle through the streets of a Houston suburb, as they try to get the animals to higher ground:

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of southeast Texas, the first responders, and all those who are risking their lives to help those in need.