Hurricane Harvey has taken a huge toll on Texas and the surrounding southern states.
The flooding has hit historic levels and has left many families without homes. Amidst the chaos, many individuals have found themselves stranded in floodwater unable to escape. Still, the storms have created plenty opportunities for heroism as well. All the rescue work being done in the area is important.
Still, this story is particularly incredible.
Lisa Livingston Eicher is a former American Ninja Warrior contestant whose family was caught in the Houston flooding.
Although Eicher herself is a very capable and able-bodied athlete, she found herself overwhelmed when she woke up to a house that was quickly being surrounded by water. The situation was made more challenging by the size of her family. Eicher and her husband have four children, two of whom have Down’s Syndrome. She also has a pig and three-legged dog to worry about.
When local firefighters pulled up to help her out, the scene was a lot to take in.
Posted by Lisa Livingston Eicher on Monday, August 28, 2017
Eicher elaborated on the dramatic (and comedic) rescue on Instagram:
“‘We’ve got two kids with Down syndrome, a three legged dog, and a pig. All of whom will be freaked out.” I told the firefighter. “Perfect!” He replied . . . As they swam Penny the Pig out to the truck, one of the firemen said to me, “you better be getting this on video.”
Posted by Lisa Livingston Eicher on Monday, August 28, 2017
Fortunately, Eicher’s entire family made it safely out of the house.
They were dropped off at a nearby Valero gas station which hadn’t flooded. Still, the good deeds hadn’t ended for Eicher and her family. While they rested on an air mattress outside, one of the gas station employees offered them complimentary Subway sandwiches and drinks. Someone else gave them $20 and a homeless person even gave them blankets.
In all, it was an incredible showing of support.
Eicher’s story has been covered by many news outlets, including People Magazine.
For her part, Eicher has nothing but gratitude for her experience:
“It was crazy to see a number of people who came up to us and offered us help. We didn’t have shoes on, some of my kids didn’t have pants on, it was a very scary and vulnerable situation, but having people check up on us lifted our spirits.”
The courageous spirit of Texas in stories like these is infectious.
Although Houstonians and other Southerners are going through a lot right now, the solidarity in these communities are enough to inspire anyone. For anyone moved by this story, please consider donating to Hurricane Harvey relief funds!
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