The Texas flood tragedy unfolded as I was making my way back to Florida from Idaho so I’m just catching up on the situation. How useful have helicopters been in rescuing people washed away or trapped by rising waters? I found one video of a hoist out of a tree. I think it is an Astar (can’t read the tail number due to the low resolution and what seems to be continuing rain).
I spoke to a friend in Austin and his house, in a neighborhood that is up a steep hill, was fine, but he was out helping a friend an hour northwest of Austin whose house became “a disaster”.
This weather radar loop is frightening:
Was surprised to see that one out in the weather. Spinning around in the harness would be pretty scary.