A North Carolina pilot, Chris McIntosh, recently undertook a daring rescue mission in the mountains following the devastation left by Tropical Storm Helene. McIntosh, a contract helicopter pilot, flew out of Georgetown and Columbia after receiving an urgent call to assist an elderly couple stranded in the Chimney Rock area, a region hit hard by the storm’s aftermath.

During his flight near Lake Lure, McIntosh noticed something remarkable: the water had formed the shape of a cross, giving him hope that things would turn out well. He shared how witnessing this natural phenomenon assured him that the couple’s rescue would be successful, despite the severe damage around him. Chimney Rock, he said, was practically washed out, with many of the roads either submerged or destroyed by the floodwaters.

After successfully reaching the couple and helping to extract them from the disaster zone, McIntosh transported them safely to Columbia, South Carolina. The pilot described the emotional moment when the elderly woman, carried by a family member onto the helicopter, smiled and waved at him as she sat in the cockpit. He emphasized how fulfilling it was to be part of their rescue and make a positive impact during such a challenging time.

McIntosh has been flying for most of his life, starting his career in the 1980s when he flew for the state. The destruction caused by Helene reminded him of the damage brought by Hurricane Hugo decades earlier. McIntosh said that while much of the region had been evacuated, those who remained were still enduring significant hardship.

The experience of helping the couple, along with witnessing the extent of the damage in the area, left McIntosh reflecting on the ongoing challenges faced by many as they recover from Helene’s aftermath. Despite the destruction, moments of hope, such as the sight of the cross-shaped water and the gratitude of those he rescued, provided a glimmer of positivity amid the chaos.