Nanton Firefighter Shawn Weibe carries a senior out of the floodwater to safety. Photo: Lyle Aspinall - Calgary Sun-QMI Agency

Nanton Fire Fighter Shawn Weibe, like all the emergency responders, did his job and did it well during the High River floods.

Weibe, who works at Farmway Machinery on 12th Avenue in High River, says he was at work when the call came and the waters started to rise.

He says he ended up in the same area saving lives.

"We got staged down at 12th Avenue and 1st Street, right by Farmway and CO-OP, trying to keep people from heading west into the water. And then I looked north down 1st Street and saw water coming. And within an hour CO-OP was flooded and we were trapped there. Another one of my firefighters that works with me, I sent him across the road to get a combine, and there were two other guys there as well, so we had three going. So, over 100 people we rescued from CO-OP and drove to the 12th Avenue boat launch."

He says he saw his brother Ryan, who works with the High River Fire Department, just once during the chaos.

"Before the guys brought our gear down from Nanton, my brother Ryan showed up at the High River Fire Hall, so I spent 10 minutes talking to him, and then he was in a truck off to wherever else and it was a week before I got to see him. So, I'd text him a little bit but I was still a little bit worried. When you're that close to your brother you get worried."

Both came out uninjured.

Weibe was the subject of what is likely the most iconic photo to come out of the flood as he's seen smiling while carrying a senior from a boat to dry land.

Weibe says he hasn't seen the woman since, but knows she's ok.

"it's been very busy, but I've been keeping in touch with the woman's daughter. Eventually we'll get reunited. It's what she said that got me smiling. She said the last time that she was carried like that was on her wedding night. So, it just got my grin on and the rest is history.

Weibe says a couple of prints of the photo have been sold at auction already with the proceeds going to help flood victims.

To hear Russell Skeet's entire interview with Weibe click the "Play" button below.