SEATTLE – While responding to historic flooding in Washington State on Friday, a Coast Guard Air Station Astoria aircrew rescued two stranded hunters from a remote cabin in the Suiattle River Valley, near Mansford, Washington, after floodwaters washed out their only roadway access.
Crews from Coast Guard Air Stations Astoria and Port Angeles responded alongside a Washington Air National Guard Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk to assist local responders with a search for missing persons in the Suiattle Valley.
During their search efforts, the Astoria aircrew located a small hunting cabin with two hunters signaling the helicopter by flashing lights at the aircraft.
The aircrew lowered a rescue swimmer to the cabin, determined the hunters were stranded and hoisted the two individuals into the helicopter using a rescue basket.
The hunters became stranded after floodwaters washed out the only road access to their cabin and were running out of food.
The aircrew transported the hunters to Darrington Municipal Airport where they were reunited with their families.
Coast Guard crews continue to operate alongside federal, state, tribal, and local partners as historic flooding impacts communities throughout the region.
As America’s premier maritime first responder, the Coast Guard delivers highly skilled, multi-mission capabilities to save lives and proudly protect the citizens and visitors of the Pacific Northwest.
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