Residents and authorities in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee are still recovering 11 loved ones from Hurricane Helen as they continue to recover bodies nearly two weeks after the storm devastated the region. A family in North Carolina is mourning his death.
The Craig family, who live in an area known as “Craigtown” in the Asheville suburb of Fairview, were one of 11 people killed in a mudslide that occurred “without warning due to unprecedented rain” during Helen's worst early September morning. lost his family. A GoFundMe for the family was posted Wednesday, titled “Supporting the Craig family after a tragic loss.”
The GoFundMe described the Craig family as “pillars of the community.”
Residents close to Craig and his wife told Fox News Digital that the 11 members of the deceased family lived in several homes next to each other, and that their homes were destroyed by a landslide that slid down the side of a mountain near their home.
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Residents close to the Craigs told Fox News Digital that the 11 members of the deceased family lived in several homes next to each other, and that the landslide crushed their home as it slid down the side of the mountain. (GoFundMe)
The description on the GoFundMe page states, “All donations are greatly appreciated by the entire family and will go toward rebuilding their home, funeral arrangements, medical expenses, and unemployment during the grieving process.”
Tony Garrison, a father of two and a firefighter with the Fairview and Galen Creek fire departments, died trying to save people from the mudslide. Some of the victims who were in the area at the time of the tragedy are still missing.
Tony Garrison, a father of two and a firefighter with the Fairview and Galen Creek fire departments, died trying to save people from the mudslide. (Facebook)
In Green Mountain, on the other side of Pisgah Forest and about an hour north of Fairview, another family is mourning the loss of two young boys and their parents, who also died Sept. 27. Ta.
A North Carolina mother of four was hit by Hurricane Helen's floods right in front of her husband and 8-year-old son.
According to a GoFundMe page titled “Honoring Allison, Knox, Felix and Lucas,” Allison Wiseley and her two sons, 9-year-old Felix and 7-year-old Lucas, left home that Friday. He was found dead. . ” Wisely's fiance, Knox Petrucci, has not yet been recovered.
Alison Wiseley and her two sons, 9-year-old Felix and 7-year-old Lucas, died as they tried to leave their home that Friday, according to the GoFundMe page “Honoring Alison, Knox, Felix, and Lucas.'' was discovered doing. . ” Wiseley's fiance, Knox Petrucci, has not yet been recovered. (North Buncombe Elementary School PTO)
“Around noon on a stormy Friday, they tried to flee their house in their car. The car started floating. They got out of the car and tried to go back to the house, but a big wave came and they were all swept into the River Taw. ,” the fundraiser description says. “So far, the bodies of Allie, Felix and Lucas have been recovered. The search for Knox continues and several agencies are working tirelessly to find him so that he can rest in peace with his family.” We are working on it.”
More than 230 people had died in the Helen incident as of Wednesday, but the death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. More than 3,200 people were rescued in North Carolina in the aftermath, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, but an unknown number of people remain missing in the southern Appalachian region.
Hurricane Helen: North Carolinians fight to survive as essential goods run out
Workers, community members and business owners clean up debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen in Marshall, North Carolina, September 30, 2024. (Javin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
A Facebook page titled “Hurricane Helen Safety Check-in” has hundreds of people from across the country posting photos and descriptions of their loved ones and whether locals have seen them with cell phone service. Wi-Fi in the area is still lacking. This makes it difficult, if not impossible, for some survivors, especially those living in mountainous areas, to contact friends and family.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) told FOX News Digital that the agency is “working with FEMA to respond to the fatalities caused by Hurricane Helen in North Carolina and ensuring appropriate disaster procedures and plans are in place.” We are confirming that,” the statement said.
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Scott Richardson inspects his home, which was destroyed and destroyed by Helen, on September 28 in Boone, North Carolina. (Reuters/Jonathan Drake)
“Recovery efforts continue to focus on delivering help and support to those in need, including assistance when a family member or loved one has passed away. Assistance in locating a missing or missing loved one. Anyone seeking assistance may call 2-1-1.
“Any death related to a hurricane is a tragedy. If a family or individual has lost a loved one and is seeking assistance, emergency responders will be stationed in every affected county to provide assistance and ensure that their loved one is 'They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.' ”
North Carolina community 'searching' for missing teacher in 'devastating' aftermath of Hurricane Helen
A river cuts through an asphalt road in Black Mountain, North Carolina (Black Mountain Police Chief Parker)
Black Mountain Police Chief Steve Parker told Fox News Digital that search and rescue operations in the western North Carolina mountain town will continue “until we find the last person.”
“We will continue our efforts until we rescue the last person.”
“Obviously, I don't have the number because that's what we're dealing with with Buncombe County and our incident command chain. We know there are people missing in the storm. “There are still many people missing. But I understand that all resources have arrived,” he said.
“Yesterday, someone from Los Angeles, California, came to rescue and recover and said to me, “Where do you need me? How can I help you?'' …Rescuing the last man. We will continue our efforts until then.”
Since the worst of Hurricane Helen, local and state officials and local and out-of-state volunteer rescue groups have continued to work to send people and supplies to steep mountain passes in western North Carolina that were severely damaged by Helen. are. (Samaritan's Purse)
Parker said the first five days of search and rescue were chaotic, but local Black Mountain officials worked together to rescue more than 450 people. Since then, the community has received assistance from federal authorities and the Red Cross.
“The first five days were tough. I would have liked to have seen the resources come our way sooner,” Parker said. “But I also believe it's due to communication issues that no one can help. … We're OK now, but we know there's another storm coming to Florida. What will happen next week?”
He added that he wants to make sure Western North Carolina continues to receive treatment in the coming weeks.
Swannanoa residents walk through devastating flood damage from the Swannanoa River in western North Carolina on September 29, 2024. (Travis Long/The News & Observer/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
The police chief said it was “amazing” to see how the community came together after the tragedy.
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“A gentleman said to me the other day, “I didn't know my neighbor at all.'' But he said, “Joe here needs this, Susie here needs this, and the one over there needs this.'' Jake needed this too. And we all got it.” Therefore, they are working together to help each other and are becoming a true community. ”
Black Mountain's downtown area remains relatively intact, and the town is hopeful that tourists will return to the area after spending the next month or two working to rebuild and restart the water system . The leaves of the mountains change color.
