Epic 11-Mile Hike after Hurricane Destruction: Climbing 2,200 Feet to Reach Parents in North Carolina

Epic 11-Mile Hike after Hurricane Destruction

Surviving Hurricane Helene: One Man's Journey to Find His Parents in North Carolina

After 48 hours without contact, Sam Perkins set out to reach his parents in the North Carolina mountains, where Hurricane Helene had wreaked havoc. Their home, situated between Spruce Pine and Little Switzerland, was cut off due to landslides and road closures.

“I had no idea how bad it was up there,” Perkins said. “The area was completely isolated.” With over 100 fatalities reported across the state, including 30 in Buncombe County, Gov. Roy Cooper described the storm as “one of the worst in modern history.”

Perkins left his vehicle near a blocked highway and hiked 11 miles, ascending 2,200 feet. For over three hours, he navigated fallen trees and mudslides, finally reaching his parents’ home. “I’ve never been so relieved,” he shared, noting they were safe but trapped without water and power.

Meanwhile, in McDowell County, Jim and Allie Bourdy faced their own disaster. Their home, adjacent to the Swannanoa River, was flooded, forcing them to seek refuge on a neighbor's roof with their dog, Piper. “We lost everything,” Jim lamented, recounting how they were rescued by a neighbor in a kayak.

In Asheville, residents like Meredith Keisler and Gary O’Dell are coping with widespread destruction. Keisler, a school nurse, reported a lack of water and power, while O’Dell shared resources with neighbors in need.

Community spirit remains strong amid the chaos, with locals banding together to help one another through this unprecedented disaster. As the region begins to assess the damage, hope and resilience shine through the devastation.

Epic 11-Mile Hike after Hurricane Destruction: Climbing 2,200 Feet to Reach Parents in North Carolina