LA PUSH, Wash — Dale, a La Push resident rescued off his rooftop by a Coast Guard helicopter crew, said he should have known better. That’s why he did not want his last name published.
“There’s embarrassment there,” Dale said.
But he agreed to an interview to share his appreciation for his rescue.
“Never been happier to see those big, burly guys in my life,” Dale said.
He was one of 10 people, including four children, rescued by helicopter Monday from their flooded La Push neighborhood as the region dealt some of the worst flooding seen in years.
Dale, who said he has lived in the area for more than four years, did not think he needed to evacuate because flood waters hadn’t reached his home before.
But around 3 a.m. Monday morning, when he couldn’t start his truck because of water in the engine, and with the water more than 4 feet deep in his kitchen, Dale fled to his attic to wait for rescuers.
Dale figures he was rescued about 12 hours later that day.
He said he’s afraid of heights, but never felt safer when he was lifted to the MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter.
"The alacrity of your actions and events in the preciseness of your actions and events, it just showed me one hell of a well-trained crew and a very disciplined crew,” said Dale, who hugged his rescuers after they landed and reunited him with his wife.
The crew believes their actions Monday saved lives.
“Absolutely,” said Coast Guard Pilot Lt. Nick Peters. “I know it's probably the darkest day for them, maybe their lives, to lose some of their property. But they were all super-happy for us to come help them. And we're happy to do it."
The impacts of days of heavy rain have been felt across western Washington. Crews continue to deal with flooded roads and landslide risk. In many areas, especially up in Whatcom and Skagit counties, flood waters began receding Tuesday. Damage estimates are just beginning.