When flash floods surrounded their home in Sedona, Arizona, Alex Dale and his wife faced a terrifying decision: find a way to escape the rising water or risk being trapped.
But there was one thing Dale knew for certain. He wasn’t going anywhere without his two-year-old dog, Jackson.
What followed was a dramatic helicopter rescue that required an improvised solution, a great deal of courage, and a determination to keep the entire family together. Although everyone made it out alive, the devastating flood left the couple facing the loss of almost everything they had worked to build.
Rising Floodwaters Trapped the Family on Their Roof
On Sunday, November 1, heavy rainfall caused Oak Creek to overflow, sending floodwaters into the surrounding area.
Alex Dale, his wife, and several guests staying at their nearby rental properties suddenly found themselves trapped. With the water continuing to rise and no safe route out, the group had little choice but to climb onto the roof of the Dales’ home.
They waited there for help, hoping emergency responders would reach them before conditions became even more dangerous.
Among those waiting for rescue was Jackson, the couple’s beloved two-year-old dog.
After approximately three hours, a rescue helicopter finally arrived. First responders began preparing the group for an aerial evacuation, securing people in harnesses so they could be lifted away from the flooded property.
But there was an unexpected complication.
The rescue team did not have a suitable dog-friendly harness for Jackson.
His Owner Refused to Leave Jackson Behind
For Dale, leaving Jackson behind was never an option.
The dog was part of their family, and he wasn’t prepared to escape while his companion remained stranded on the roof.
With the helicopter waiting and time potentially running short, Dale and his wife had to think quickly.
They came up with an improvised solution: using three dog harnesses secured together to create a setup that could help keep Jackson attached to his owner during the evacuation.
It wasn’t a standard rescue arrangement, but it offered a possible way to bring the dog along.
Once Jackson was secured, Dale prepared to climb into the rescue harness with him.
A Terrifying Helicopter Rescue
The next moments must have been incredibly frightening.
Dale was lifted into the air while holding Jackson close, relying on the improvised harness arrangement to keep his dog safe.
Below them, floodwaters had swallowed the familiar surroundings of their home. Above them, the helicopter was carrying the family away from the danger.
Later, Dale recalled just how nerve-racking the experience had been.
“I was sitting in this harness basically holding my dog, praying he doesn’t go anywhere,” he said.
Fortunately, the plan worked.
Jackson remained with Dale throughout the evacuation, and the two-year-old dog made it to safety alongside his family.
After hours of uncertainty, the couple no longer had to worry about being separated from the dog they had fought so hard to protect.
Everyone Survived, But the Flood Destroyed Their Livelihood
Although the rescue ended safely, the family’s ordeal was far from over.
The floodwaters had caused devastating damage to the Dales’ property and the things they depended on for their livelihood.
According to the family’s account, they lost their home, their Airbnb rental properties, their vehicles, and a work truck containing all of Dale’s tools.
The losses left them without a place to live, reliable transportation, or many of the tools needed to continue working.
What began as an emergency escape from rising water had become the beginning of a difficult rebuilding process.
For the Dales, surviving the flood was only the first step toward recovering from everything they had lost.
A Fundraiser to Help the Family Rebuild
Following the disaster, the family created a GoFundMe campaign to seek financial support as they work toward rebuilding their lives.
The fundraiser explains the scale of the damage and the challenges they now face after losing their home, rental properties, vehicles, and work equipment.
Those who want to support Alex Dale and his family can find the campaign here:
A Dog Was Never Left Behind
The story of Alex Dale and Jackson is a powerful reminder of the bond people share with their pets.
When the flood threatened everything the family had, Dale faced an emergency in which every second mattered. Yet even without a suitable dog rescue harness available, he and his wife refused to accept a rescue plan that left Jackson behind.
Their quick thinking helped bring the entire family to safety.
The road to recovery may be long, especially after losing their home and the tools needed to earn a living. But one thing remained unchanged: Jackson was still by their side.
In the middle of a disaster that took so much from them, the family managed to hold on to something they considered priceless—their beloved dog.