A dramatic photo of a man fleeing the waters of Hurricane Florence with a soggy kitten resting on his shoulder moved people to the United States.
Robert Simmons Jr. and his kitten, aptly named "Survivor" were photographed by Andrew Carter, a reporter from North Carolina News & Observer. The photo was massively viral after Carter posted it on Twitter on Friday.
Carter wrote that Simmons had been stuck at his home in New Bern since the night before because of the rising waters. Simmons wanted his father to come with him on the lifeboatbut the father wanted to stay behind, according to Carter.
"It was sad to leave his father but he left with his kitten in his arms," Carter wrote. "Cat name: Survivor."
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Destruction caused by Hurricane Florence
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NEW BERN, NC – SEPTEMBER 14: Neighborhoods are flooded after storm surge of Hurricane Florence flooded the Neuse River on September 14, 2018 in New Bern, North Carolina. Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina as a Category 1 storm, and heavy rains forced hundreds of people to seek emergency assistance in the vicinity of New Bern, North Carolina. at the confluence of the rivers Nueces and Trent. The storm has since been downgraded to a tropical storm. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
NEW BERN, NC – SEPTEMBER 14: Houses are flooded after a storm surge from Hurricane Florence flooded the Neuse River on September 14, 2018 in New Bern, North Carolina. Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina as a Category 1 storm, and heavy rains forced hundreds of people to seek emergency assistance in the vicinity of New Bern, North Carolina. at the confluence of the rivers Nueces and Trent. The storm has since been downgraded to a tropical storm. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
NEW BERN, NC – SEPTEMBER 14: Volunteers from across North Carolina help rescue residents and their animals from their flooded homes during Hurricane Florence on September 14, 2018 in New Bern, North Carolina. Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina as a Category 1 storm and heavy rains forced hundreds of people to call for emergency relief in the New Bern, North Carolina area at the confluence of the rivers Nuese and Trent. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
An abandoned minivan is on a flooded road near New Bern, North Carolina, on September 14, 2018 during Hurricane Florence. – Florence crashed Friday on the east coast of the United States with high winds, torrential rains and deadly storm surges as emergency crews rushed to rescue hundreds of stranded people by the floods. Forecasters have warned of catastrophic floods and other disorders caused by the monster storm, which is only category 1 but physically expands and is dangerous. (Photo by Logan Cyrus / AFP) (Photo credit should read LOGAN CYRUS / AFP / Getty Images)
Debris lies on the ground of a damaged Royal Dutch Shell Plc service station during Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA on Friday, September 14, 2018. Hurricane Florence Bloomberg causes high winds and torrential floods. Carolina, killing at least two people in the area. Photographer: Alex Wroblewski / Bloomberg via Getty Images
A fallen tree is found in front of a house during Hurricane Florence in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina on Friday, September 14, 2018. Hurricane Florence Bloomberg causes high winds, heavy rains and floods torrential. at least two people crossing the area. Photographer: Alex Wroblewski / Bloomberg via Getty Images
A fallen tree is found in front of a house during Hurricane Florence in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina on Friday, September 14, 2018. Hurricane Florence Bloomberg causes high winds, heavy rains and floods torrential. at least two people crossing the area. Photographer: Alex Wroblewski / Bloomberg via Getty Images
On Friday, September 14, 2018, residents of downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, cross a street blocked by a fallen tree. Bloomberg, Hurricane Florence, caused violent winds, rained and flooded North Carolina. at least two people crossing the area. Photographer: Alex Wroblewski / Bloomberg via Getty Images
NEW BERN, NC – SEPTEMBER 14: Neighborhoods are flooded after storm surge of Hurricane Florence flooded the Neuse River on September 14, 2018 in New Bern, North Carolina. Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina as a Category 1 storm, and heavy rains forced hundreds of people to seek emergency assistance in the vicinity of New Bern, North Carolina. at the confluence of the rivers Nueces and Trent. The storm has since been downgraded to a tropical storm. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
On September 14, 2018, a hurricane was destroyed in Wilmington, North Carolina. A house was destroyed by falling trees. Florence was hit Friday by strong winds, torrential rains and deadly storm surges. save hundreds of people stranded in their homes by floodwaters. Forecasters have warned of catastrophic floods and other disorders caused by the monster storm, which is only category 1 but physically expands and is dangerous. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP / Getty Images)
A fallen tree can be seen on Middle Street, near the Neuse, in New Bern, North Carolina, on September 14, 2018 during Hurricane Florence. – Florence crashed Friday on the east coast of the United States with high winds, torrential rains and deadly storm surges as emergency crews rushed to rescue hundreds of stranded people by the floods. Forecasters have warned of catastrophic floods and other disorders caused by the monster storm, which is only category 1 but physically expands and is dangerous. (Photo by Logan Cyrus / AFP) (Photo credit should read LOGAN CYRUS / AFP / Getty Images)
TOPSHOT – A father and his daughter learn that friends were injured and later died when a tree fell on their home during Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 14, 2018 A mother and her baby were killed Their home in Wilmington, North Carolina, was the first victim of Hurricane Florence, police said Friday. Wilmington police tweeted that the father had been rushed to the hospital with unspecified wounds. Hurricane Florence hit the coast of Wilmington on Friday morning, hitting the coastal city with strong winds and torrential rains. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo credit: ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP / Getty Images)
Wilmington, North Carolina, Sept. 14: An unidentified woman reacts to news of a home that a large tree has fallen with three trapped after Hurricane Florence hit the area, the September 14, 2018 in Wilmington, North Carolina. A man was taken out of the house in critical condition. Hurricane Florence hit Wilmington as a Category 1 storm, causing extensive damage and flooding along the coastline of Carolina. (Photo by Mark Wilson / Getty Images)
The flood waters of the Trent River flood a park in Pollocksville, North Carolina, on September 14, 2018 during Hurricane Florence. – Florence crashed Friday on the east coast of the United States with high winds, torrential rains and deadly storm surges as emergency crews rushed to rescue hundreds of stranded people by the floods. Forecasters have warned of catastrophic floods and other disorders caused by the monster storm, which is only category 1 but physically expands and is dangerous. (Photo by Logan Cyrus / AFP) (Photo credit should read LOGAN CYRUS / AFP / Getty Images)
A vehicle immersed in the waters following Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, North Carolina, on Saturday, September 15, 2018. The blooming rhythm and catastrophic floods could cause $ 20 billion in damage and have already caused at least six deaths, even though it has weakened in a tropical storm. Photographer: Alex Wroblewski / Bloomberg via Getty Images
WILMINGTON, NC – SEPTEMBER 15: Mike Pollack searches for a drain in the yard of his flooded waterfront a day after passing Hurricane Florence on September 15, 2018 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina as a Category 1 storm on Friday and at least five deaths were attributed to the storm, which continues to produce heavy rain and strong winds spreading over near 200 miles. (Photo by Mark Wilson / Getty Images)
Debris lies on the ground of a damaged Dutch Shell service station during Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, North Carolina on Saturday, September 15, 2018. A blooming rhythm and catastrophic floods could cause damage of $ 20 billion. and has already caused at least six deaths, even though it has weakened into a tropical storm. Photographer: Alex Wroblewski / Bloomberg via Getty Images
The floodwaters washed up on a warning sign that was partially repelled by Hurricane Florence on Oak Island, North Carolina, USA, on September 15, 2018. REUTERS / Jonathan Drake
The hazard warning lights of an abandoned car continue to flash as it is submerged in a flood during the early hours of dawn after Hurricane Florence in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA, the September 15, 2018. REUTERS / Jonathan Drake
A street lamp is shot down on a flooded road as Hurricane Florence arrives ashore in Wilmington, North Carolina, United States, September 14, 2018. REUTERS / Carlo Allegri
The Neuse water floods the streets as Hurricane Florence passes through the city of New Bern, North Carolina, United States, on September 14, 2018. REUTERS / Eduardo Munoz
The Union Point Park complex is awash with the passing of Hurricane Florence in New Bern, North Carolina, United States on September 13, 2018. REUTERS / Eduardo Munoz TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
A fallen tree sits on a house during Hurricane Florence in the city of Wilson, North Carolina, United States, September 14, 2018. REUTERS / Eduardo Munoz
A fallen tree sits on a house during Hurricane Florence in the city of Wilson, North Carolina, United States, September 14, 2018. REUTERS / Eduardo Munoz
Boats pushed back from the wharf are seen on a street during Hurricane Florence in the city of New Bern, North Carolina, United States, September 14, 2018. REUTERS / Eduardo Munoz
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Simmons told Carter in a longer interview published in The News & Observer: "I'm an animal lover". He also stated that he was unable to take the kitten's mother with him because "he is a wild cat".
Another picture shows Survivor snuggled up in Simmons's jacket.
Hurricane Florence hit the ground in North Carolina on Friday morning as a Category 1 storm, but torrential rains, not wind, are the biggest threat to those in its wake. Friday night, Morehead City, North Carolina, had already received 23 inches of rain.