A dramatic bodycam video has surfaced, showing the intense rescue of a woman trapped beneath a fallen tree during Hurricane Francine. The hurricane, which made landfall in Louisiana on September 11 as a Category 2 storm, brought maximum wind speeds of 100 mph, wreaking havoc across the state.
The Harrowing Incident
The incident occurred in Donaldsonville, a town in southern Louisiana. As the storm battered the region, the woman was outside when a tree toppled onto her. The bodycam footage captures the tense moments as deputies from the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office worked tirelessly to free her. Using chainsaws and hydraulic jacks, the emergency responders managed to extricate her from the debris.
WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:
In the video, the woman repeatedly calls out, “I need my God! I need my Jesus!” as first responders encourage her to breathe and stay calm. Deputy Laura Mueller, who was involved in the rescue, noted, “After freeing her from under the tree, she was understandably shaken and distressed. I am grateful I was able to guide her through breathing exercises to help calm her.”
The Aftermath and Impact
The woman was rushed to a nearby hospital with non-fatal injuries. Capt. Jeff Griffin expressed relief that the outcome was not more tragic, stating, “The Good Lord was with her. Six inches one way or the other and it would have crushed her.”
Hurricane Francine, which began as a tropical storm on September 9, evolved into a hurricane by September 10, marking the fourth hurricane of the 2024 season. The Weather Channel reported that Francine brought significant rainfall, with Apalachicola, Florida, receiving 12.75 inches, while Covington, Louisiana, experienced 9.69 inches of rain.
The bodycam footage underscores the bravery and quick action of first responders during extreme weather conditions, providing a glimpse into the critical role they play in ensuring public safety amid natural disasters.