Donaldsonville, Louisiana – A dramatic rescue unfolded last week in the southern Louisiana town of Donaldsonville as Hurricane Francine wreaked havoc across the state. Bodycam footage captured the harrowing moment when a woman, trapped beneath a fallen tree, was saved by deputies from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office.
Hurricane Francine strikes with fury
On the night of Wednesday, September 11, Hurricane Francine made landfall in Louisiana as a formidable Category 2 storm. With maximum wind speeds reaching 100 mph, Francine left a trail of destruction in its wake, impacting communities across the state.
The harrowing rescue
Caught outside during the tempest, the woman found herself pinned under a tree brought down by the powerful winds. The chilling footage shows the swift and coordinated efforts of deputies using chainsaws and jacks to free her.
“I need my God! I need my Jesus!” the woman repeatedly cries out in the video, as first responders work tirelessly to rescue her. Amidst the chaos, emergency workers can be heard urging the distraught woman to focus on her breathing.
“After freeing her from under the tree, she was understandably shaken and distressed by the situation,” said Deputy Laura Mueller, according to the New York Post. “I am grateful I was able to guide her through breathing exercises to help calm her.”
A narrow escape
The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital with non-fatal injuries. “The Good Lord was with her,” commented Capt. Jeff Griffin. “Six inches one way or the other and it would have crushed her.”
Impact of Hurricane Francine
While Donaldsonville residents grappled with the aftermath of the storm, other regions also faced significant rainfall. The Weather Channel reported that the highest rainfall total from Francine was recorded in Apalachicola, Florida, with a staggering 12.75 inches of rain. In Louisiana, the town of Covington experienced the highest rainfall total, measuring 9.69 inches.
As Louisiana begins the arduous process of recovery, the rescue of the woman in Donaldsonville stands as a testament to the bravery and dedication of first responders in the face of natural disasters.