Sedona couple straps dog to harness to survive helicopter flood rescue

Alexander Dale and his wife escaped a flooded home in Sedona on Sunday by clinging to their dog during a helicopter extraction. The couple, along with about nine of their guests, waited on the roof for roughly three hours after rapid water rise trapped them inside.

Officials ordered residents near Oak Creek to leave immediately as the water climbed. Dale’s home and several Airbnbs they manage sit directly next to the creek bed. The family climbed to the roof and waited for air support to arrive.

The rescue crew initially questioned whether they could lift the family’s K-9. A pilot told Dale that they did not have a specific harness for the dog. Dale asked what they should do. The couple decided not to leave the animal behind.

They used three harnesses already inside the house and strapped them together to secure the dog. Dale sat in his own harness during the lift, holding the dog tightly. He described the moment as a prayer that the animal would stay put while they rose above the water.

Other residents faced similar disruptions. Cindy Wilmer, a schoolteacher living at Red Rock Crossing, evacuated with only the shirt on her back, her keys, and her cat. She described the water roaring down the street and expressed worry about the condition of her house. Fernando Leon also evacuated from his Oak Creek home. He said he saw the river when he opened his door and felt a sense of sadness at leaving his belongings behind.

State resources joined the local response. Governor Katie Hobbs confirmed that state air rescue crews were assisting with rooftop evacuations. State transportation crews were deployed to clear debris from the area. By Sunday afternoon, the heavy rains had largely subsided in the Sedona region.

No injuries or deaths were reported immediately following the event. The incident occurred on Sunday as floodwaters forced multiple families from their homes across several Arizona communities.