The rescue record · chapter 4 of 12
Hurricane Florence
September 2018. Hurricane Florence flooded the Carolinas for days — rivers cresting long after landfall, communities cut off, thousands stranded by rising water.
How Ryan was involved · from the record
Ryan drove more than 2,000 miles and led water rescues for dozens of people — women, infants, the elderly, the disabled — and their animals. Boat work, door to door, day after day.
Source: the biography filed as Exhibit 288 in United States v. Nichols — read it in full →
Why it matters
The deployment the country noticed. Ellen DeGeneres put his Florence rescues on national television, sponsored Rescue the Universe with a new rescue boat, and donated $25,000 to the Animal Humane Society in his honor.
Recognized
The Ellen Show — Recognized his Florence rescues on air — a new rescue boat for Rescue the Universe and $25,000 to the Animal Humane Society in his honor.
Pictures & footage
Photos and footage from this deployment are being added from the archive. Were you there — rescued, rescuing, or watching? Your pictures and video belong in this record.
Send what you have →