CNN reporter helps desperate Texas man locate his father on live TV

It is expected that as many as 30,000 Houston residents will make their way to shelters Monday and one of them broke down during an interview with CNN.

Aaron Mitchell explained that he walked 12 miles in the dark to get to his father's house.

"Where are your friends or family? Where are they at, man" asked CNN reporter Nick Valencia.

"I don't know," he said beginning to cry. He then explained that he couldn't find his family, specifically his father. "There's no cell service and... I haven't gotten ahold of anybody. If my mom and dad are watching I'm ok."

He explained that his mother is in Oklahoma but his dad lives in Houston too. "There's no telling where my dad's at," Mitchell told CNN, wiping his eyes. "I'm here in Rockport waiting on you."

The internet immediately exploded with viewers asking how they could help Mitchell find his father. CNN allowed him to use their satellite phone to try and he was able to find his father.

"Ok, Dad, I'm going to jump on a bus. Are you OK?" Mitchell asked his father on the phone wiping tears from his eyes. "Dad, I love you."

"There's a lot of reasons we get up in the morning to do our job," Valencia told host John Berman. "I think our crew here felt one of those."

You can find ways to . This horrifying side-by-side video shows what Houston looked like before the floods.

Watch below:

Part 1:

'I haven't gotten ahold of anybody': Reporter...by sarahburris

Part 2 -- Aaron finds his father:

WATCH: Texas man breaks down when he finally...by sarahburris