The Daily Mail reports that record-level flooding occurred over a 600-mile region as part of the storm’s path of devastation. North Carolina, which was one of the states impacted the worst, is still dealing with the devastating effects. Tragic news of a family of four attempting to flee the storm has brought many to tears as searches for missing individuals persist.
The floodwaters took away Alison Wisley, 36, her fiancé Knox Petrucci, 41, and their two children, Felix, 9, and Lucas, 7, as they tried to escape. As the hurricane drew near, the family was trying to flee to Green Mountain by car, but the rising waters engulfed their vehicle, and it started floating.
The details of the tragedy were released on a GoFundMe page, which revealed that it happened at noon on Friday.
They tried to escape their home by car during the storm that began at about noon on Friday, according to the post. The vehicle started to float. After stepping out, they attempted to make it back to their house, but a massive wave engulfed them, sending them plunging into the Toe River. The remains of Aly, Felix, and Lucas have all been located thus far. Several agencies are making tremendous efforts to locate Knox so that his family can lay him to rest.
November 9, which was to be the day of the couple’s modest wedding ceremony, will now be the date of their funeral. Unfortunately, the news has devastated loved ones.
More than $65,000 has been collected through the fundraiser, which will go toward paying for the burial and laying the loved ones to rest.
Chimney Rock and Green Mountain, among other areas, were “completely wiped out” by the storm, according to Mayor Peter O’Leary, who talked with CNN about the devastating damage. The hurricane left behind “total devastation” as it wiped down homes and businesses along riverbanks, and many people still haven’t been heard from since.
Joe Biden, the president, paid a recent visit to the state to reassure and support individuals impacted. Mayor O’Leary called for a “financial commitment to rebuild,” saying, “There is a strong spirit to rebuild the town, rebuild the area. Chimney Rock is a historic, iconic landmark for western North Carolina.” However, O’Leary acknowledged that recovery would be a long, difficult process. “It’s still just so fresh for everybody. Of course, we want to rebuild. All of us want to rebuild. But we have monumental challenges in front of us,” he added.
The Guardian reports that 225 people have died across six states as a result of Hurricane Helene, and officials are warning that the death toll might go up as long as rescue and recovery operations go on.