On February 24th, 81-year-old Jerry Jouret set out from his mountain house in Big Pine, California, headed to his family home in Gardnerville, Nevada, thinking he’d be able to stay ahead of the expected snow storm. But about an hour into his three-hour trip his Ford Escape SUV slid into a snowbank.
Temperatures in the area dropped into the teens that night and the mathematician and former NASA employee wasn’t prepared for the weather, with only a windbreaker, a light quilt, and a bath towel to keep warm. But Jouret stayed with his car, conserving the vehicle’s gas and battery power, and periodically turning on the vehicle to stay warm. He survived on croissants and candies he had in the car and ate snow to stay hydrated.
His Grandson Christian Jouret posted daily updates with prayer requests on his Facebook page.
On March 2nd, a California Highway Patrol helicopter spotted what they thought might be a large rock, but what turned out to be Jouret’s blue SUV buried in the deep snow. On a closer pass of the vehicle they saw an arm waving out of the open window. After refueling, they returned and picked him up, taking him to a nearby hospital. Jouret’s grandson says that the nurses at the hospital were shocked at how well he was after his ordeal and he was released within hours. Jouret is now back at his home in Nevada and his family.
Christian posted a reunion pic and a thankful prayer.
“GREAT NEWS! After 6 days and 6 nights of being trapped in a car under snow freezing with no food, water and a very thin blanket my Grandfather was rescued today by helicopter. I want to thank every single prayer warrior out there and the amount of love and support for my grandfather has been mind-blowing. The power of prayer is a force that cannot be stopped. Praise GOD!” .