On September 27, 2024, FOX Weather meteorologist Bob Van Dillen stopped preparing a live report in Atlanta and entered floodwater to rescue a woman trapped in her car. He had heard her screaming for help as water rose around the vehicle. Van Dillen called 911, then freed her and carried her to safety.
What happened during the live report
Early Friday morning, as Hurricane Helene’s rain flooded streets in Atlanta, Van Dillen and a photographer were preparing a live FOX Weather report near Peachtree Creek. He heard a woman calling out from a car in rising water. The Associated Press reported that the rescue was captured during the live report; Georgia Public Broadcasting describes the car as being on flooded Atlanta Street near Peachtree Creek.
Van Dillen called 911 and first told the woman that help was coming. As she grew more panicked, he stopped reporting and went into the water. Recalling his decision to GPB reporter Orlando Montoya, he said: “I just said, ‘You know, forget this.’”
How Van Dillen freed the woman
In the GPB interview, Van Dillen described getting the woman to lower the window, releasing her seat belt, opening the door and carrying her on his back out of the water. The Associated Press quoted him saying she “was still strapped into her car” as the water rose.
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After the rescue, the woman’s husband—who had been on the phone with her—arrived and reunited with her. The accounts say she was cold but okay. They do not identify her by name.
What the reports establish—and what they do not
The reports document a single rescue during dangerous flooding, not a recommended way for the public to respond to a vehicle trapped in floodwater. Van Dillen recounted his concerns about the water and current; this account should not be read as guidance to enter floodwater or approach a submerged vehicle. The cited reporting does not provide a broader emergency procedure.
Rank #2
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For the incident details, see the Georgia Public Broadcasting interview, the Associated Press report and the NPR report republished by KPBS.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Jammed seatbelt cutter: the razor-sharp, stainless-steel blade allows to cut a jammed seat belt in no time. Slice the seat belt diagonally for a quick and clean cut. Can be used multiple times.
- Tempered glass window breaker: the solid, heavy-duty, stainless-steel spike easily breaks tempered glass car side windows. Hit preferably one of the corners of the window. resqme is equipped with a spring-loaded mechanism. Resets after each use. Reusable
- Made in USA. We pride ourselves in offering efficient and reliable, made in the US, safety tools for the last 20 years.
- Trusted by first responders, Law Enforcement and EMTs and carried by more than 8 million motorists worldwide. The resqme seat belt cutter and window breaker saves a life on average every 15 days. Tested and certified by TUV, a German certification
Rank #4
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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