Hero Pilot Threatened with Arrest While Rescuing Hurricane Victims
A daring South Carolina pilot, Jordan Seidhom, risked everything flying rescue missions over flood-hit North Carolina after Hurricane Helene. But shockingly, he says he was told he’d be arrested if he kept saving stranded survivors.
Father and Son Fly to the Rescue
Jordan and his teenage son Landon used their helicopter to reach desperate victims trapped by floodwaters in the Lake Lure area. They plucked two women stranded atop a mountain and rescued holidaymakers trapped in an Airbnb. The duo even flew some evacuees to Charlotte-Douglas Airport, helping them get home.
Rescue Grounded by Flight Restrictions
On Sunday, Seidhom was confronted mid-mission by an unnamed Lake Lure fire official, who claimed a flight ban was in place and threatened arrest if the pilot continued. Forced to leave his son and a victim stranded on a mountain, Jordan tried to explain but was denied permission to return.
“I explained I left my son there and needed to get him and the other victim. He said I wasn’t going back and that I was going to leave them,” said Seidhom.
Shortly after, authorities enforced a temporary flight restriction over Lake Lure, grounding Seidhom’s rescue efforts. The ban was lifted the next day, allowing the pilot to return with the Carolina Emergency Response Team to deliver food and water.
Pilot Slams Officials for Putting Lives at Risk
Reflecting on the incident, Seidhom blasted the officials’ actions as dangerous and obstructive.
“If I had to do it again, I’d have kept rescuing as many people as possible — even if they decided to arrest me,” he said.
Authorities in Lake Lure have yet to comment on the controversy.
Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida last Thursday as a Category 4, wreaking havoc across the Southeast and leaving at least 140 dead. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris plan visits to North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia to assess the destruction.
