How King County Sheriff's Office uses helicopter unit to save lives
The Brief
The King County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit is prepared to conduct rescues in the mountainous regions of Western Washington, operating 24/7 to assist individuals in emergencies, such as hikers and skiers in distress.
Despite using a 50-year-old helicopter and having only four pilots, the unit successfully executed back-to-back rescues in January, including a night hoist operation to save injured skiers at Stevens Pass, aided by an SOS alert from an Apple Watch.
Deputy Tony Mullinax emphasizes the importance of carrying communication devices and essential survival items when heading outdoors, as rescue operations can take hours or days depending on circumstances.
KING COUNTY, Wash. - At a moment's notice, the King County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit is ready to take off to save the lives of people stranded or in danger in the mountain regions of the area.
With nearly 70-degree days in the forecast for this weekend, many will head out to the trails. If an emergency strikes, the King County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit is ready 24/7.
"We as cops joke about, 'everyone loves a firefighter.' So, now we get to do some of the rescuing ourselves," said Deputy Tony Mullinax.
Hundreds of feet over the mountains of Western Washington, Mullinax and the KCSO Air Support Unit locate and rescue people experiencing their worst day.
"You could have someone bleeding to death. You could have someone experiencing symptoms of a heart attack where time matters," he said.
The backstory
In January, the air support unit stayed busy with multiple rescues.
On January 19, a hiker fell on Guye Peak. Because of the remote location, KCSO's Guardian 2 helicopter took off.
Three days later, on January 22, the air support unit got the call again. This time, several skiers were injured near Stevens Pass after falling about 1000 feet.
"We accepted the mission and determined that the injuries and risk to the people involved was worth the risk to us to do a night hoist in the mountains," said Mullinax.
Video of the rescues makes the work look easy, but that is far from the truth, Mullinax tells FOX 13 Seattle.
"It's hard as the pilot, like, sitting there hovering in the dark next to a mountain for that long, while you're sending a guy up and down," he said.
With two helicopters in the air (one to search and one to rescue), KCSO Air Support Unit pulled three hikers from Stevens Pass to safety during the mission.
The air support unit was able to find the injured skiers thanks to an SOS alert from one of the victim's Apple Watch.
"From the time we got the call until the time we were at Harborview, was a matter of hours, instead of a matter of, probably, days if we had to walk in and get them," said Mullinax.
Right now, there are only four pilots in the air support unit, and the rescue helicopter the team uses is five decades old, Mullinax said.
"The problem is that's a big ask. I mean, you're talking $15 to 20 million for a modern rescue-equipped helicopter and then all of the training that goes with learning to fly it."
With calls constantly coming in throughout the entire year, the team is hopeful they'll be able to grow the unit in the future.
Mullinax tells FOX 13 Seattle if you are planning on heading out, make sure to bring some sort of device that you can use to communicate if cell service is not available, like the Apple Watch that helped to save the skiers at Stevens Pass.
He suggests bringing clothes for the weather, something you can use to make a fire, a device to signal for help like a whistle, mirror, or flair gun, something you can make shelter with, and plenty of water and food.
"It may be a matter of hours, or it may be a matter of days until help can first of all find you, then rescue you," he said.
If you're heading out hiking, experts suggest you always carry the "ten essentials."
Navigation - maps or GPS
Hydration
Nutrition - carry at least one extra day's worth of food
Rain Gear and Insulation -
A way to start a fire -waterproof matches or a lighter
First aid kit
Tools - knives or a multi-tool
Illumination - a light source and extra batteries
Sun protection - sunglasses and sunscreen
Shelter - tarp or space blanket
The Source
Information in this story comes from the King County Sheriff's Office Air Support Unit.
ICE arrests 37 people at Bellingham, WA roofing company
7 million pounds of WA food at risk as federal cuts loom
1 juvenile dead, 2 in critical condition in Skyway, WA
New study reveals you need $169K to be financially happy in Seattle
12 WA residents made Forbes's list of 2025 billionaires
Everything to know about the Washington State Spring Fair
Seattle Restaurant Week 2025 by neighborhood
To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter.
Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national coverage, plus 24/7 streaming coverage from across the nation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
In oddball May heat wave, it's hotter in North Dakota than in Florida
A May heat wave is scorching portions of the central United States with near record-breaking high temperatures, raising concerns about wildfires and heat stress on people not used to the summer-like warmth. Temperatures will soar well into the 90s and may even approach 100 degrees through May 13 over a thousand square miles of the northern Plains, AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski said. This is significantly warmer than some locations in the southeast U.S., including Miami, Florida, which should only see highs in the mid-80s. Extreme heat will also scorch much of Texas, where the National Weather Service warned that "many will not be acclimated to this type of heat so early within the year and thus the risk for heat-related illness is higher than normal. Please practice heat safety!" Heat safety reminders include to "drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the weather service said. Days of downpours: Storm that soaked Southeast to drench Mid-Atlantic Indeed, residents throughout the Plains should plan ahead to find ways to stay cool and hydrated. In southern Texas, major heat-related impacts may stick around through the second half of the week, said meteorologist Peter Mullinax in the National Weather Service's short-range forecast discussion. "In some cases, temperatures will be 30-40 degrees above the historical average for May and shatter daily record highs by several degrees," Sosnowski said in an online forecast. The dry heat is fueling wildfires in the upper Midwest, as another day of volatile fire weather is expected in northeast Minnesota on May 13, as crews continue to battle large wildfires burning out of control, Minnesota Public Radio reported. AccuWeather warned that dry grasses and leaves leftover from the winter will become a prime source of fuel for any wildfire that ignites. "Small fires can rapidly escalate into major blazes and threaten lives and property," Sosnowski said. The heat will also be felt in Texas this week, with highs in the triple digits along the Rio Grande Valley and into central Texas. Temperatures have a high chance of setting new daily record highs and are expected to near, if not exceed, all-time record highs for the month of May, the National Weather Service in New Braunfels, Texas, said. The heat will continue May 14: "Wednesday (May 14) sees the footprint of 80s and 90s temperatures grow across the Heartland with the hottest temperatures once again making their home in Texas," Mullinax said. More opportunities for both record-breaking highs and record warm minimum temperatures will be common in parts of the Southern Plains and Upper Midwest through May 14, he added. Farther west, winter is hanging on in the northern Rockies, as Mullinax said there is some high-elevation mountain snow in parts of Montana and Wyoming. "Over a foot of snow is forecast across Montana's southwest mountains, Wyoming's western mountain ranges, and Wyoming's Big Horn Mountains. Treacherous travel for recreation in those areas are likely." This storm system also ushered in a considerably cooler air mass that will advance across the western U.S. through mid-week, he said. Temperatures from the West Coast to the Great Basin and Northern Rockies could be on the order of 10 to 20 degrees below normal May 13, with similar temperature anomalies throughout much of the Intermountain West on May 14. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: May heat wave scorches central US, fueling wildfires
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
'SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!': Atmospheric river dumps up to a foot of rain on Southeast.
ARLINGTON, Va. − A sprawling atmospheric river that hammered the Southeast with up to a foot of rain was sweeping through the Mid-Atlantic states Tuesday, driving multiple inches of rain and the threat of coastal flooding, forecasters said. A "flash flood emergency" was declared in portions of far western Maryland by mid-afternoon due to the heavy rain, which has neared 5 inches in some areas, the National Weather Service said. In southwestern Allegany County, Maryland, the weather service warned residents that "This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!" Evacuations are ongoing northeast of Barton, Maryland, and the water in Georges Creek is reaching residences and businesses in Westernport, Maryland, after the creek rose six feet in three hours. Evacuations from flooding also have been reported in Mineral County, West Virginia. Flood watches have been been issued across the Washington, D.C., area including suburban Virginia, western Maryland and parts of West Virginia, the weather service said. Total rainfall amounts of up to 3 inches are expected, and there could be up to 5 inches along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Parts of central North Carolina, still recovering from the furious rains fueled by the the remnants of Hurricane Helene in September, could see 5 inches through Wednesday, the National Weather Service warned. The risk of flash flooding will stretch all the way into Pennsylvania. "There will continue to be a risk of heavy rain and strong to severe thunderstorms over the next couple of days," the weather service office in Morehead City, North Carolina, posted on social media. "Please be sure to have multiple ways to receive warnings, and please avoid flooded roads." Major storm: Gulf Coast to Virginia could be swamped with buckets of rain this week Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow stretches of atmosphere that transport vast amounts of water vapor − like rivers in the sky. Atmospheric rivers can vary greatly in size and strength, but the weather service says the the average atmospheric river carries an amount of water vapor roughly equivalent to the average flow of water at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Exceptionally strong atmospheric rivers can transport up to 15 times that amount of water. This atmospheric river has been hovering over the Southeast for days, trapped by a strong high pressure system to the north. Although much of the Mid-Atlantic region has been experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions, rainfall rates could become "heavy enough to support a flash flood threat," wrote meteorologist Peter Mullinax in the National Weather Service's short-range forecast discussion. Mullinax added that there was a "dearth of flood watches" in parts of Virginia and North Carolina. The "deep fetch" of Atlantic moisture will reach to the Great Lakes and the Ohio and Tennessee valleys, prompting widespread storms, Mullinax said. Thunderstorms will be more isolated there Wednesday, while rains will advance into the Northeast through Wednesday. In North Carolina, the arts-and-tourism town of Asheville was devastated by Helene's rains eight months ago. Homes and businesses were destroyed, bridges and highways were washed out, and the water system was severely damaged. The area has slowly recovered, and the luxury Grand Bohemian Asheville Lodge, closed since Helene, reopened May 8 after a $20 million renovation. Now the National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the area, warning of heavy rainfall and potential flooding through Tuesday. Rainfall totals are expected to reach 2 inches in higher elevations east of Asheville, and some areas could potentially receive up to 3.5 inches. A heat wave continued to envelop the Midwest. Records tumbled in recent days: It reached a startling 100 degrees in Humboldt, Minnesota, and 99 degrees in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Near record or record highs were forecast in many areas for Tuesday, and high winds and dry conditions prompted red flag fire warnings in much of the region. In Kansas City, Missouri, the weather service said the warming trend continues, peaking midweek with highs approaching 90 degrees. Denver could see 86 degrees Tuesday. The storm moving into the Mid-Atlantic had earlier stalled over the Southeast over the weekend, overwhelming some cities with rain. In Georgia, almost 7 inches of rain fell in Savannah and over 3 inches in Augusta. Over 4 inches of rain fell on Columbia, South Carolina. Some rural areas of South Carolina, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle were deluged with up to a foot of rain in recent days, AccuWeather reported. Some rivers in the Southeast are forecast to reach flood levels later this week. A flood watch was in effect for northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and suburban Maryland, the weather service said. A coastal flood advisory has been issued across parts of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware with potential flooding and water surges in low-lying coastal areas. Coastal cities along the Atlantic such as Miami and Charleston, South Carolina, already prone to high-tide flooding, could face increased flood risk if heavy rain adds pressure to already taxed drainage systems, AccuWeather said. Contributing: Iris Seaton and Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen Times; Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Flash flood 'emergency': Atmospheric river hits Southeast, Mid-Atlantic
USA Today
13-05-2025
- USA Today
Major storm dumps a foot of rain in Southeast, threatens coastal flooding in Mid-Atlantic
Major storm dumps a foot of rain in Southeast, threatens coastal flooding in Mid-Atlantic Show Caption Hide Caption Rain and storms return to the Northeast Wet weather is returning to the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast for mid-May. Parts of central North Carolina, still recovering from the furious rains fueled by the the remnants of Hurricane Helene in September, could see 5 inches of rain. Some rural areas of South Carolina, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle were deluged with up to a foot of rain in recent days. ARLINGTON, Va. − A sprawling storm that hammered the Southeast with up to a foot of rain was setting its sights on Mid-Atlantic states Tuesday, threatening multiple inches of rain and coastal flooding, forecasters said. Flood watches have been been issued across the Washington, D.C., area including suburban Virginia, western Maryland and parts of West Virginia. Totals rainfall amounts of up to 3 inches are expected, andd there could be up to 5 inches along the Blue Ridge Mountains. Parts of central North Carolina, still recovering from the furious rains fueled by the the remnants of Hurricane Helene in September, could see 5 inches through Wednesday, the National Weather Service warned. The risk of flash flooding will stretch all the way into Pennsylvania. Although much of the region has been experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions, rainfall rates could become "heavy enough to support a flash flood threat," wrote meteorologist Peter Mullinax in the National Weather Service's short-range forecast discussion. Mullinax added that there was a"dearth of flood watches" in parts of Virginia and North Carolina. Major storm: Gulf Coast to Virginia could be swamped with buckets of rain this week The storm had stalled over the Southeast over the weekend, overwhelming come cities with rain. In Georgia, almost 7 inches of rain fell in Savannah and over 3 inches Augusta. Over 4 inches of rain fell on Columbia, South Carolina. Some rural areas of South Carolina, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle were deluged with up to a foot of rain in recent days, AccuWeather reported. Some rivers in the Southeast are forecast to reach flood levels later this week. A flood watch was in effect for northern Virginia, Washington, D.C., and suburban Maryland, the weather service said. A coastal flood advisory has been issued across areas of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware with potential flooding and water surges in low-lying coastal areas. Coastal cities along the Atlantic such as Miami and Charleston, South Carolina, already prone to high-tide flooding, could face increased flood risk if heavy rain adds pressure to already taxed drainage systems, AccuWeather said.
