Hurricane Harvey: Houston police officer battling cancer helps rescue flood victims

Norbert Ramon has helped save hundreds of people as part of the Lake Patrol

Norbert Ramon (pictured far right) has helped rescue storm survivors in Houston (Houston Police Officer's Union/Facebook)

A police officer who is battling cancer has helped rescue hundred of people from the floods caused by Hurricane Harvey in Houston.

Norbert Ramon, 55, who has been with the Houston Police Department’s Traffic Enforcement division for 24 years, is suffering from stage four, metastatic colon cancer. Metastatic means it has spread to other parts of his body.

In the aftermath of the storm, Mr Ramon played a key part in the rescue of 1,500 residents in the city as part of the Lake Patrol.

He notified his sergeant as per protocol and then set out to help the team.

“From then it was a madhouse,” his wife Cindy told Fox News.

“They started going out rescuing people in all parts of Houston. That’s where it started from and it’s been non-stop.

“He’s been so caught up in the emotions and the excitement of trying to rescue people, he had no time to even think about it. You wouldn’t even think he had cancer, he’s plugging along like he doesn’t.”

Mr Ramon has been receiving chemotherapy treatment in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

At least 47 people have died as a result of the hurricane and tens of thousands of people have been forced from their homes.

Donald Trump visited survivors at an emergency shelter where hundreds of Texans have been staying after losing their homes.

The US President struck an upbeat note, telling residents to “have a good time” and joking about having “big hands”.