Record rainfall hit Texas over Memorial Day weekend, destroying homes and taking at least 23 lives -- but thanks to one man and his drone, Bill and Tracey Kaskel, a couple from Venus, Texas, were able to escape floodwaters unscathed.
After making the miraculous rescue back on May 25, volunteer firefighter Garret Bryl joined HuffPost Live and looked back on the tumultuous ordeal. Bryl had been using drones recreationally for three years before he put his hobby to practical use with the Joshua Fire Department six months ago. With the help of his quadcopter Valkyrie, Bryl delivered life vests and a safety lines to Bill and Tracey Kaskel -- saving the couple, their cat and five dogs from the river flowing below their home.
Watch Garret Bryl discuss his rescue mission on HuffPost Live in the video above.
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In this aerial photo, people canoe through floodwaters past a stop sign near Bear Creek Park Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Houston. The Colorado River in Wharton and the Brazos and San Jacinto rivers near Houston are the main focus of concern as floodwaters move from North and Central Texas downstream toward the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Gabby Aviles carries her daughter Audrey through floodwaters outside their apartment in Houston, Tuesday, May 26, 2015. Heavy rains overnight caused flooding in the Houston area. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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In this aerial photo, people prepare to launch a canoe from a flooded parking lot near Bear Creek Park Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Houston. The Colorado River in Wharton and the Brazos and San Jacinto rivers near Houston are the main focus of concern as floodwaters moved from North and Central Texas downstream toward the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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In this aerial photo, homes are surrounded by floodwaters near the San Jacinto River Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Channelview, Texas. The Colorado River in Wharton and the Brazos and San Jacinto rivers near Houston are the main focus of concern as floodwaters moved from North and Central Texas downstream toward the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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In this aerial photo, a building and dump truck are surrounded by floodwaters near the Brazos River Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Rosenberg, Texas. The Colorado River in Wharton and the Brazos and San Jacinto rivers near Houston are the main focus of concern as floodwaters moved from North and Central Texas downstream toward the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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In this aerial photo, a school playground is covered by floodwaters near the Brazos River Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Rosenberg, Texas. The Colorado River in Wharton and the Brazos and San Jacinto rivers near Houston are the main focus of concern as floodwaters moved from North and Central Texas downstream toward the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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The Colorado Rivers flows out of its banks Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Wharton, Texas. The Colorado River in Wharton and the Brazos and San Jacinto rivers near Houston are the main focus of concern as floodwaters moved from North and Central Texas downstream toward the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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The Colorado Rivers flows out of its banks Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Wharton, Texas. The Colorado River in Wharton and the Brazos and San Jacinto rivers near Houston are the main focus of concern as floodwaters moved from North and Central Texas downstream toward the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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In this aerial photo, a truck sits in floodwaters near Bear Creek Park Saturday, May 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas. The Colorado River in Wharton and the Brazos and San Jacinto rivers near Houston are the main focus of concern as floodwaters moved from North and Central Texas downstream toward the Gulf of Mexico. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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A swollen river flows behind search and rescue volunteer Chad Hartsman of Houston, as he walks through the flood damaged area Friday May, 29, 2015, in San Marcos, Texas. Search efforts continue for those persons who went missing from the Memorial Day weekend floods in Central Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)