Top 3 animal rescue videos of 2024
AccuWeather’s Ali Reid counts down the most heroic and heartwarming animal rescues caught on video in 2024, from flash flooding in Connecticut to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene to extreme flooding in Spain
At AccuWeather, we often find ourselves amazed not just by the power of nature, but by the incredible acts of heroism and compassion that arise in the face of adversity. This year, we are proud to share the most heroic and heartwarming animal rescues of 2024—stories of courage, compassion and extraordinary efforts to save animals in danger.
Number 3: Man rescues motorist and dog stranded in flash flood in Connecticut
A man was able to rescue a disabled motorist and his dog from flood waters in Southbury, Connecticut, on Aug. 18. (Image credit: Tania Carver via Storyful)
Our countdown begins with a dramatic rescue during flash flooding in Southbury, Connecticut, on Aug. 16. As the roads turned into rivers, a driver and his dog found themselves trapped in a car, surrounded by rising waters. A good Samaritan sprang into action, risking his own safety to save them. The video captures the tense moments as the driver, clutching his prosthetic leg, points desperately to his dog in the backseat. Thanks to the bravery of the rescuer, all three—man, dog and hero—made it safely to dry land.
Number 2: Manatee rescue during Hurricane Helene in Florida
A unique rescue scene in Florida unfolded when dozens of people came together to save manatees washed ashore by massive storm surge a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall.
In the number two spot, we turn our attention to Florida, where Hurricane Helene's powerful storm surge left manatees stranded in a shallow pond in Largo. Cut off from the ocean, these gentle sea giants were in dire need of help. Rescue teams worked tirelessly, checking vital signs and carefully preparing the manatees for transport back to the Gulf of Mexico. The exhausting efforts of dozens of dedicated rescuers ensured that the manatees were safe and healthy and returned to where they belong.
Number 1: Heart-stopping rescue amid surging floodwaters in Valencia, Spain
A rescuer buckles a woman and her dog into a harness before whisking them away from deepening floodwaters to safety. (Image credit: Javier Ballesteros via Storyful)
Topping our list is a heart-stopping rescue amid raging floodwaters in Valencia, Spain. Following heavy rainfall that caused severe flooding, a woman and her pets were trapped as shoulder-high water surged around them. The video shows a rescuer calmly securing a harness around the woman to prepare her and her pets for an aerial lift. In a life-affirming moment, the rescuer, the woman and her pets are hoisted from the muddy floodwaters, leaving the peril behind.
These incredible rescues remind us of the boundless compassion and bravery that can emerge in the face of nature's fury.
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