The Weather Channel reporter was dressed from head to toe in hurricane-weather-appropriate gear, with only his face and hands visible.

In general, you don't want to move an unfamiliar injured dog -- it's as dangerous for you as it is for the dog. But this situation was unique and with the potential for further injury or drowning, Wilson decided to make the risky call to carry the injured pet to safety.

Was his intention to go viral?

'We're as ready as anybody has ever been.'

News footage showed an overwhelming response of compassion and concern from members of the Wilmington Fire Department who were at the scene.

'We did everything we could to make residents aware of how dangerous this storm was going to be.'

'In hindsight, yes, I would have probably gotten out of here.'

'The current is way stronger in this one and the water came up like in minutes.'

'WPD can confirm the first two fatalities of Hurricane Florence in Wilmington.'

'Apparently read fact from the botched NBC News article.'