Helicopter Rescue Mission during Hurricane Ike in Galveston.

[alwaysreadyc170]

The pilots from AirSta Houston were amazing people to work with during Hurricane Ike. They were incredibly professional and so very understanding of the lone voice on the other end of the VHF. This moment and the 74 hours surrounding it became a defining moment in my life. I am the voice sending out the PAN PAN for the stranded offshore vessel in this video. Semper Paratus.

[alwaysreadyc170]

The pilots from AirSta Houston were amazing people to work with during Hurricane Ike. They were incredibly professional and so very understanding of the lone voice on the other end of the VHF. This moment and the 74 hours surrounding it became a defining moment in my life. I am the voice sending out the PAN PAN for the stranded offshore vessel in this video. Semper Paratus.

[MISSDIAGNOSED1]

there were many who lost there lives completly ...morn for the lost rejoyce for the saved

[MISSDIAGNOSED1]

no one expected the water level to get as high as it did. ike came to shore as a cat 2 but with cat 4 surge, no one thought that they were going to get flooded or that the roads were going to be washed out, galveston had water above hoods of small cars before ike came ashore on the strand, and as for the coasties....i am and will be forever greatful for the job that they do as for these people and there dogs, there lifes were saved by these brave guys dong there jobs......

[patsaretherealchumps]

I'd like to know, what, exactly, this guy was doing in a truck, so damn close to the flooding waters. I'm certain he's not a reporter, or anyone acting in an official capacity.

Just another asshat with no brains, thinking he could ride it out.

Whatever it cost the USCG to rescue this idiot from his own stupidity should be charged to the fool.

These people make me sick.

[UniqueExposures]

Amazing work these guys do! And I agree the stupid people that stayed after muti warnings to evac? Should be made to pay and pay double for putting these guys at risk.

[Truthseekerfinder]

Anybody that stayed through this storm and then wanted rescue should be made to pay for it. The order was mandatory. Not a suggestion.

Everybody saw what happened after Katrina.

If people want to be stupid on purpose and try to ride out deadly storms, then they should consider themselves ON THEIR OWN.

Use your damned heads for something other than a hat rack.

USCG personnel have to risk their lives for people too stupid, or too stubborn to obey a mandatory evacuation order?

[imstillwalking]

Totally agree. It was also all of EMS, USAF, USA, probably the USN, too, as well as US Fish and Wildlife and, I'm sure many, many other organizations and individuals.

And it's not just the money, it's these peoples' lives being put at risk because of their stupidity.

[mikejrboy2005]

lol@ hurricane party

[LunarTuner]

Am I supposed to pay for the losses of irresponsible communities that let people build on low shorelines? I'm tired of the victim mentality blaming officials for their irresponsibility! Am I supposed to feel sorry for people who are rescued by my tax dollars after they were told to evacuate in the face of "certain death?"

[imstillwalking]

I don't know about this specific rescue, but I am disgusted by those who did not evacuate when they were told to and putting these brave men and women of EMS, the Coast Guard, and the Army who put themselves out for these idiots.

[SkinnyJenny510]

Whoa man you are way over the line and first off that is their job they train for hours apon hours for these type of situations how dare you say something like that when there are still hundreds that can't be reached

[imstillwalking]

I am talking about those who were told to evacuate, but, instead have hurricane parties, then when THEY decide they're in over their heads, they put the rescuers in greater jeopardy.

[imstillwalking]

From the LA Times:

"GALVESTON COUNTY, TEXAS -- Rescue crews fanned out across the flooded Gulf Coast on Saturday, searching for tens of thousands of Texans who ignored mandatory evacuation orders just before Hurricane Ike crashed ashore in the night with howling winds and a powerful tidal surge."

These are the stupid, reckless people who put the lives of EMS at risk simply because they wouldn't evacuate. These are the people I am talking about.

[imstillwalking]

More from the LA TIMES:

By some estimates, as many as 140,000 of the nearly 1 million residents ordered to leave low-lying areas along the coast elected to stay home and brave the storm. Angry officials said their refusal to leave endangered rescue crews now having to use high-water vehicles, boats and helicopters to find and retrieve stranded residents.

[imstillwalking]

and...

"There was a mandatory evacuation, and people didn't leave, and that is very frustrating because now we are having to deal with everybody who did not heed the order," said Steve LeBlanc, Galveston's city manger. "This is why we do it, and they had enough time to get out. It's just unfortunate that they decided to stay."

[imstillwalking]

and finally...

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said, "When you stay behind in the face of a warning, not only do you jeopardize yourself, you put the first responders at risk as well. Now, we're going to see this play out."

Perry said the state had mounted "the largest search-and-rescue capability in the history of Texas." LeBlanc estimated that 40% of Galveston's 57,000 residents ignored the evacuation order.

I don't think even near the line.

[lizhenry]

wow.

[JBadger]

Awesome rescue job there, high 5.

[GirlWithNoName17]

wow I have family that live in Galveston Texas.. I'm very happy they got themselves out of there.

[JBadger]

Awesome rescue job there, high 5.

[kinndyloo]

wow good job but now im have 2nd thoughts about moving 2 baytown  scary

[Ceofort500]

Congrats on that pilot who kept the chopper so still during the rescue. I am a pilot, and I know that is no easy task in that wind.