Facts
Press Statement
Statement From Town of Lake Lure, North Carolina Mayor Carol Pritchett
The attached video statement can be attributed to the Town of Lake Lure, North Carolina Mayor Carol Pritchett. Please read more about the facts of this incident and the challenges facing Lake Lure here.
Lake Lure, a small town in Western North Carolina, has a population of just 1,350 residents. Our community, along with many of our neighbors, has been devastated by the historic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. A video recently circulated on social media and TV news shows a South Carolina man using his private helicopter to rescue stranded flood victims. While the rescue mission is still ongoing, we want to clarify a few things.
Since September 26, our firefighters and first responders have been working tirelessly to protect the community. They began going door-to-door to evacuate residents before the hurricane’s arrival, actively rescued people during the storm, and continue coordinating efforts with Rutherford County Emergency Management and other national, state, and local agencies on land, water, and air. Our first responders are part of this community. They have seen their friends, homes, and businesses destroyed. Tragically, some have had to recover the lifeless bodies of neighbors from the wreckage.
Last week, a brave man named Jordan Seidhom flew his private helicopter to the area in response to a call for help. He rescued a woman stranded along the river where land and water rescues were actively taking place and the road and bridge had been washed away. His helicopter landed in a restricted area near a critical bridge that serves as our only link to the first responders desperately working to save others. This is the only entry and exit point for the rescuers.
While we greatly appreciate the opportunity to use private services during rescue operations, those resources must be coordinated with the Rutherford County Emergency Management and the Federal Aviation Administration for the safety of all involved with the response. Mr. Seidhom spoke with Lake Lure firefighters and area law enforcement personnel following the incident. While no one from the Lake Lure fire department threatened arrest, we regret there was any misunderstanding. The rescue operation has benefited from many private helicopters throughout this search and rescue mission, however, they coordinated with the incident command prior to doing so.
While our fire department was rightly concerned about a private helicopter operating in an area where other rescue aircraft, drones and first responders were working, no one should have threatened someone trying to help with arrest.
We are deeply grateful for the assistance of private services and aircraft during rescue operations. However, for safety reasons, all such resources must be coordinated with Rutherford County Emergency Management and the Federal Aviation Administration. When individuals who are unfamiliar with specific rescue protocols step in, it can lead to chaos and slow down the entire operation. If anyone is willing and able to help, we encourage you to reach out to us at Communications@townoflakelure.com. We will work to match skills and resources to meet the community's needs.
Our fire department and its leaders have shown exceptional dedication throughout this devastating storm. Despite little sleep and challenging conditions, our first responders continue to serve our community around the clock.
As we transition from rescue operations to recovery, we will need ongoing support. We ask for your compassion, patience, and assistance as we navigate this unprecedented crisis.
