Viral video shows kayaker saving squirrel from floodwaters
Digital Reporter
Friday, January 1, 2016, 3:03 PM - Neighbourhoods, shopping centres and schools remain submerged underwater as Missouri continues its battle against severe flooding. However, there was a ray of light at a time of darkness for this little squirrel who was caught in the floodwaters in St. Louis County.
Resident Tony Weiss was surveying the wreckage in his kayak in the city of Fenton when he came across the drowning squirrel.
Weiss managed to save the animal using his paddle, capturing the entire rescue on video. The footage was uploaded to YouTube on Dec. 30 and has since gained over 12,000 views.
"I saw this little guy jump and try to swim for a bigger tree for safety but the current was just too strong," Weiss posted on the video-sharing website. "You can see him jump from the tree in front of me and start swimming but the current was quickly pulling him downstream. I know squirrels don't understand English but I couldn't help but yell out some positive encouragement."
The squirrel is seen (in the video above) using the kayak to leap to higher ground.
The historic flooding has claimed the lives of at least 14 people. Many homes have been swept away, with thousands evacuated. Gov. Jay Nixon declared a state of emergency, activating National Guard on Tuesday to help protect local communities and support emergency officials.
Severe weather targeted much of the Midwest a week ago, spawning several tornadoes.
RELATED: Incredible nighttime tornado caught on camera
On Thursday, the flooding caused untreated waste to pour into The Meramec River, one of the longest free-flowing waterways in Missouri.
"We are seeing higher levels of bacteria in the river water... but we're managing it," Missouri American Water spokesperson Ann Dettmer told CNN. "We are meeting state and federal standards. They don't have to worry about their drinking water."
The state is currently on track to break records set during an historic flood that occurred in 1993 across the U.S. Midwest.
Watch more: U.S. midwest rivers to reach historic levels, states of emergency are in place
