HANOI, Vietnam (November 6, 2009)--A watchman in Vietnam was rescued after surviving three nights and two days clinging to a tree to avoid a flash flood sparked by Tropical Storm Mirinae.

The 69-year-old man couldn't swim, but he managed to climb the tree when the floodwaters came.

A military helicopter was finally able to reach him Thursday, but the first cable holding a soldier snapped as it was being lowered.

The soldier was able to swim to safety but authorities say the man became even more spooked and initially refused to go when a second cable got to him.

The man survived by catching rainwater in his construction helmet.

Soldiers were also able to get him food and a mobile phone Wednesday.

They used the phone to calm his fears about the rescue from a disaster that has claimed at least 108 lives in central Vietnam.

Officials say the storm has also destroyed or damaged more than 27,000 homes and ravaged some 74,000 acres of rice and other crops.