In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, what began as a heroic effort to save lives turned into a confrontation with local authorities.
Jordan Seidhom, a former police officer and volunteer firefighter, took matters into his own hands by using his personal helicopter to rescue people stranded by the storm.
However, his attempt to save an elderly couple in Lake Lure, North Carolina, was unexpectedly halted by a senior fire official, leading to a threat of arrest.
A Personal Mission to Help Storm Victims
Jordan Seidhom had been working tirelessly to reach those isolated by the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene.
With his helicopter, Seidhom and his son, Landon, were able to access hard-to-reach areas, rescuing people cut off from emergency services.
Their mission was going smoothly until they encountered resistance during a rescue attempt involving an elderly couple, Susan and Michael Coffey.
Seidhom had successfully airlifted Susan to safety and was preparing to return for Michael and his son when a local fire department official intervened.
The official told Seidhom that his independent rescue efforts were disrupting the department’s operations and threatened him with arrest if he continued.
Conflict with Local Fire Authorities
As Seidhom touched down after his first trip, he noticed a group of first responders nearby and decided to engage them to coordinate the rescue mission.
Instead, he was met by a fire chief who told him to cease his efforts immediately.
According to Seidhom, the official was upset that he wasn’t coordinating directly with the fire department and insisted that his actions were interfering with their rescue operations.
Despite Seidhom’s attempts to explain that he had been in communication with law enforcement and other rescue teams, the fire chief ordered him to leave and not return.
When Seidhom explained that he needed to recover his son and Michael from the mountain, the fire chief refused, stating, “You’re interfering with my operation.”
Seidhom was then warned that if he attempted to fly back, he would be arrested.
A Heart-Wrenching Decision
Faced with the ultimatum, Seidhom had to make a difficult decision.
He returned to the mountain to pick up his son, but reluctantly informed Michael that he couldn’t take him due to the threat of arrest.
The fire department assured Seidhom that they would rescue Michael within a few hours, though Seidhom noted it would have taken him just three minutes to fly the man to safety.
Afterward, Seidhom returned to Rutherford County Airport, where he waited for three hours for a meeting with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Although no charges were filed, a temporary flight restriction was placed over the area, which further prevented Seidhom and other pilots from aiding in the rescue efforts.
Lives Left at Risk
Reflecting on the situation, Seidhom expressed frustration over the fire department’s actions, believing that they put more lives at risk.
As he and his son flew out of the area, they noticed several stranded victims waving for help, but the flight restriction prevented them from stopping to assist.
“I can only imagine what those people were thinking,” Seidhom said.
“You’ve been stranded for over a day, and you see a lifeline fly over you, but it just keeps going.”
Seidhom admitted that if he could do it all over again, he would have continued rescuing as many people as possible, even at the risk of being arrested.
Despite the challenges, Seidhom and his son had successfully rescued two other flood victims prior to the confrontation, and thankfully, Michael Coffey eventually made it to safety by swimming across a river.
What’s Next for Seidhom?
Though the conflict with local authorities left Seidhom feeling disheartened, his determination to help others in the face of disaster remains unchanged.
The story has raised questions about the coordination between independent volunteers and official rescue teams during emergencies.
While Seidhom’s actions were motivated by a desire to save lives, the situation highlights the complexities that can arise when different parties try to manage rescue operations during a crisis.
As Seidhom continues to reflect on the experience, it’s clear that his priority remains on the people he sought to help.
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