Moment man finds dog in Lismore floods brings Studio 10’s Sarah Harris to tears

A Lismore flood victim has shared the incredible story of how his dog managed to survive being lost in floodwaters during rescue efforts this week.

The heartwarming moment a family was reunited with their beloved pet in the NSW floods has been captured on Studio 10, leaving host Sarah Harris fighting back tears.

Lismore locals Mark and Leanne had appeared on the program earlier this week to share their story, with footage showing them being lifted to safety by defence forces from their rooftop as powerful currents of water swelled beneath them.

Their dog, DJ, had jumped out of a nearby boat in fright before disappearing under the veranda of the house, unable to be rescued and leaving the family fearing the worst.

But on hearing news of a dog sighted in the area the following day, Mark was delighted to find DJ sitting on top of a pile of rubble, barking madly and wagging his tail.

Footage from the moment sees Mark patting DJ as he gushes: “Oh mate, you’re such a survivor, you’re a celebrity! You’re all over the news.”

The dog had found refuge on what looked like an overturned shed.

DJ was thrilled to be reunited with his owner.

“You’ve absolutely broken us with that video. Where was he?” asked Harris, wiping away tears after the sweet clip.

“That was another amazing part of this whole ordeal,” Mark said.

“Where we found him, he was at least 400 metres upstream, so he’s gone against the current which is unbelievable. My son’s caravan was beside the house and within about three-and-a-half minutes his caravan travelled about a kilometre-and-a-half so DJ swam against that,” he said.

Panting happily as his owners showered him with pats, the dog was said to be “exhausted” after the journey.

“He was so hungry and thirsty but he’s so happy to be home. He’s non-stop been wagging his tail,” Mark’s daughter Cheyenne said.

Mark and his daughters were overjoyed to have their beloved pet back.

Four people have died as a result of the NSW flood disaster.

The body of a man, believed to be in his 70s, was located in a flooded unit on Cromer Street in South Lismore on Wednesday afternoon.

Country singer and local celebrity Marge Graham, and fellow Lismore residents Lorraine Hyman and Stuart Bok have also been found and identified in flooded homes.

Thousands of residents have been urged to evacuate today, with a severe weather warning in place from the mid-north coast to the south coast.

Hundreds of schools are expected to remain closed in NSW and Queensland as the torrential rain continues to batter the east coast.

Originally published as Moment man finds dog in Lismore floods brings Studio 10’s Sarah Harris to tears