Sedona helicopter rescue lifts family and dog to safety

Alexander Dale and his wife climbed onto the roof of their Sedona home on Sunday to escape rising floodwaters that had trapped them inside. They waited approximately three hours before a helicopter lifted them to safety.

The couple manages several Airbnbs on a property located next to the Oak Creek bed. Officials ordered residents in that area to leave immediately as water levels rose rapidly. Dale said he and his wife could not find another way out of their home.

Rescuers initially questioned whether they could lift the family's dog, stating they did not have a harness for the animal. Dale and his wife decided not to leave the pet behind. They strapped three harnesses from their home onto the dog to secure it for the ascent.

Dale held the dog in his own harness during the helicopter lift. He described the moment as a prayer that the animal would stay put. The couple was among multiple groups of people evacuated from rooftops in the area.

Cindy Wilmer, a schoolteacher living at Red Rock Crossing, also evacuated with minimal belongings. She said the water was roaring down her street. Wilmer left with only the shirt on her back, her school keys, and her cat. She expressed concern for the condition of her house after the evacuation.

Fernando Leon, another resident who evacuated, feared his Oak Creek home might be a total loss. He opened his front door and saw the river rushing in. Leon said he had to leave all his possessions behind. He described the sudden change from daily routine to emergency evacuation as a sad feeling.

By Sunday afternoon, the heavy rains in the Sedona area had largely stopped. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs said state air rescue crews assisted with rooftop evacuations. State transportation crews helped clear debris from the area. No injuries or deaths were immediately reported.