A family of four has tragically died after getting in their car to escape the wrath of Hurricane Helene.
An aerial view shows people walking past a destroyed church in North Carolina in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Credit: Mario Tama/Getty
According to the New York Times, reports of destruction and record-level flooding caused by the storm stretched more than 600 miles and one of the worst hit areas was North Carolina, an area that is still grappling with the aftermath of its impact.
As people continue to search for their loved ones, the news of a family of four, who were trying to escape Hurricane Helene has left social media users in tears.
Alison Wisley, 36, her fiancé, Knox Petrucci, 41, and her children, Felix, nine, and Lucas, seven, died after being swept away into the Toe River in their car.
There will be more and more sad stories coming out of NC, TN, SC, FL & GA as the cleanup continues from Hurricane Helene and now Milton. RIP to Alison Wisley, her fiancé and her 2 children. Swept away by the floods while trying to evacuate. pic.twitter.com/NzmACWBWYi
— BowTiedBroke (@BowTiedBroke) October 9, 2024
The family had decided they were going to try and drive toward Green Mountain as the storm approached the coastal state, but as they were driving through the rising floodwaters, their car began to float.
In a statement posted to GoFundMe, it was revealed that the incident happened on Friday at approximately noon time.
“At around noon on Friday during the storm, they attempted to flee their home by car,” it read. “The car began to float. They got out and tried to return to their house, but a big wave came and swept them all into the Toe River. So far, Aly, Felix, and Lucas’s bodies have been recovered.
“The search is still on for Knox and several agencies are working tirelessly to find him so that he can be put to rest with his family,” it continued.
It was then said that Aly and Knox were to be married in a small ceremony on November 9, but instead, this has now become the new date for their funeral.
The couple’s family and friends have been left devastated upon hearing the news.
The fundraiser has gathered over $62,700 in the hopes that it will help lay the four members of the family to rest.
Mayor Peter O’Leary recently told CNN that some areas in the state, including Chimney Rock and Green Mountain, have been completely wiped out.
Several people have been left unaccounted for as Helene obliterated riverside homes and downtown businesses, leaving “total devastation” in its wake.
President Joe Biden visited the state last week in the hopes that he could offer some reassurance to the people there with O’Leary asking for a “financial commitment to rebuild.”
“There is a strong spirit to rebuild the town, rebuild the area. Chimney Rock is a historic, iconic landmark for western North Carolina,” O’Leary said at the time.
However, he and the residents of the worst-hit areas are also aware that it’s going to be a lengthy process, he said.
“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,” the mayor added.
According to the Guardian, the death toll from Hurricane Helene has soared to more than 225 people, with deaths recorded across six states and officials warning that the number will probably rise as recovery efforts continue.
As these states are recovering from the storm, another is threatening the lives of residents of Florida as Hurricane Milton makes landfall.
Our thoughts are with the victims of both these horrific events.