A homeless man who had nothing still found 30 lives worth saving when the flood hit. On September 6, 2022, the Pearl River’s record flooding brought chaos to Jackson, Mississippi, and evacuation orders were issued. Michael Harris, a 57-year-old homeless man sleeping in a parking garage, woke to the sound of rising water and frantic barks.
Ignoring the danger, Michael waded into the deep water. Using shopping carts and homemade rafts, he rescued 30 terrified, stranded dogs from the flooded streets and led them to safety inside the garage. For three days, he tirelessly returned to the floodwaters, following every cry for help.
When rescue crews eventually found him, he was alive, surrounded by the pack he saved. His reason for staying behind was a selfless testament to loyalty: “They would’ve stayed for me,” he simply said.![]()
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