Homeless Man Rescues 30 Dogs from Floodwaters in Mississippi

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On September 6, 2022, record-breaking rainfall caused the Pearl River to overflow in Jackson, Mississippi, forcing urgent evacuation orders across the city. But one man—57-year-old Michael Harris, who had been living in an abandoned parking garage—never heard them.

Harris, asleep on the third floor of the structure he had been calling home, awoke to the sound of sirens and rushing water. From below, he heard something else: the desperate barking of dogs left behind as their owners fled.

Instead of seeking safety for himself, Harris went toward the rising floodwaters. Wading through waist-high currents, he began pulling frightened dogs into shopping carts and onto makeshift rafts. He tied leashes to his belt so none would be swept away, guiding them back into the garage, where he made space on dry levels above the waterline.

Hour after hour, he returned to the submerged streets, answering every bark and whimper he could hear. He searched porches, backyards, and alleyways, coaxing dogs to follow him or carrying them when they were too weak.

For three days, Harris repeated the routine. With little food and no electricity, he relied only on instinct, determination, and compassion. By the time rescue crews finally reached the parking garage, they found Harris exhausted but alive—surrounded by 30 dogs he had saved.

The scene astonished rescuers. Despite his own vulnerable situation, Harris had refused to abandon the animals. When asked why he had stayed, his answer was simple:

“They would’ve stayed for me.”

Today, Michael Harris’s actions are remembered not only as an act of bravery, but as a profound reminder of loyalty and kindness in the face of disaster.