Hurricane Francine: Trapped driver rescued from floodwater in New Orleans live on TV
A dramatic rescue was captured on live TV in New Orleans as Hurricane Francine swept in to the city.
The category two storm made landfall in the state of Louisiana on Wednesday night, bringing strong winds and heavy rains which caused flooding and knocked out electricity to more than a quarter of a million properties.
Jonah Gilmore, a reporter with New Orleans channel WDSU, was live on air when he spotted a vehicle driving into floodwater.
“We saw the pickup truck going into the canal underpass from the opposite direction… going against traffic… when this area was blocked off,” he said.
The panicked reporter flagged down a nearby police officer as he described how the water was “coming up so quickly” – but as he did so a passing Good Samaritan also leapt into action and approached the car with a hammer.
Mr Gilmore told viewers: “You can see that guy breaking the [vehicle’s] window.”
The footage then showed a man’s head emerging from a rear door window and squeezing through the gap.
The driver was eventually led to safety by the rescuer, Miles Crawford, before firefighters arrived at the scene.
Submerged cars in New Orleans: Pic: AP
Mr Crawford, who works in a hospital ER department, said afterwards: “I just had to go in there and get him. I’m a nurse so I got to save lives.”
Hurricane Francine came ashore in Louisiana with winds approaching 100mph in Terrebonne Parish, about 30 miles southwest of Morgan City, according to the National Hurricane Centre.
It prompted evacuation orders for thousands of people in a region which has still not fully recovered from a series of devastating hurricanes in 2020 and 2021.
Evacuation orders were issued before the hurricane hit. Pic: Reuters
Firefighters in Morgan City, near where the storm made landfall. Pic: AP
Morgan City fire chief Alvin Cockerham said the hurricane quickly flooded streets, snapped power lines and sent trees crashing down.
“It’s a little bit worse than what I expected to be honest with you…. it’s too dangerous to be out there in this,” he said.
The hurricane’s path later moved inland, cutting power supplies for 261,000 properties across southeast Louisiana, before weakening to a tropical storm.
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Much of Louisiana and Mississippi could be hit by 10 to 20cm (4 to 8in) of rain, with the possibility of 30cm (12in) in some places, said Brad Reinhart, a senior specialist at the hurricane centre.
Francine is the sixth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season and was fuelled by exceedingly warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
President Joe Biden has approved emergency support to help Louisiana secure federal money and assistance.
The King has written to former US president Joe Biden after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Buckingham Palace said
The monarch, who is undergoing his own treatment for an undisclosed cancer, hosted the 82-year-old for tea and talks at Windsor in July 2023.
Mr Biden was diagnosed on Friday, with tests revealing the cancer had spread to his bones.
The former president posted an image of himself and his wife Jill on X on Monday and wrote: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
The King and Joe Biden at Windsor Castle in July 2023. Pic: Reuters
The King’s letter comes after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
Meanwhile US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns around his age and fitness to serve, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election race and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X after his diagnosis: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
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Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
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Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media that he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
Politicians have sent messages of support to Joe Biden, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 82-year-old, who is the oldest person to ever serve as US president, was described as a “fighter” with people wishing him a “fast and full recovery”.
US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns for his health, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 election and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
Read more from Sky News:
UK and EU sign reset deal – live updates
Gary Lineker to leave BBC next week
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
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