The extensive destruction from Hurricane Helene’s powerful winds and heavy rains couldn’t stop a dedicated father from journeying for hours, including on foot, from South Carolina to Tennessee to give his daughter away at her wedding.

David Jones accomplished the impressive feat of arriving at his daughter’s wedding on Saturday morning, despite what would usually be a simple two-hour drive from Boiling Springs, South Carolina, to Johnson City, Tennessee. Instead, he undertook an overnight journey totaling nearly 27 miles, as he shared with YSL News on Monday.

“I believe every father would go to great lengths to be there for their daughter’s wedding,” Jones remarked. “As the scripture says, ‘With God, anything is possible.’ I think this situation perfectly illustrates that point.”

The Southeast is still recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene, with millions experiencing power outages, thousands facing flooding in their homes, and families mourning the loss of over 100 confirmed fatalities.

At one point during his journey, Jones described the scene as resembling a “Hollywood disaster movie times 10.”

Here’s a glimpse into Jones’ determination to overcome the hurricane’s devastation in order to celebrate his daughter’s big day.

Jones Was Unaware of the ‘Severe Damage’ Before Leaving

Before Hurricane Helene hit, Jones was moving with his wife and mother-in-law from Johnson City to Boiling Springs. Their initial plan was to drive back to Johnson City on Friday so he could walk his daughter down the aisle by 11 a.m. on Saturday.

As a precaution, Jones decided to set up a generator in his Boiling Springs house before heading out alone.

“I had no cell service and no internet, so I was completely unaware of the serious destruction that awaited me,” Jones said. He mentioned living in Tennessee for 42 years and not expecting such level of devastation from the storm.

After leaving South Carolina, Jones faced numerous detours due to traffic congestion and road closures.

“At one point, it took me three hours to travel just 10 miles,” he recalled.

Bridge to Johnson City Was ‘Totally Wrecked’

Thanks to the quick efforts of road crews in Western Carolina, Jones was able to travel on Interstate 26 until he reached the Tennessee state line. However, when he got there, state authorities had closed the exit he needed due to a bridge being “totally wrecked,” based on what a trooper informed him at 2 a.m. Saturday.

The only alternate route into Johnson City was a bridge in Erwin, Tennessee, which troopers were prohibiting anyone from using to guarantee safety, said Jones.

Determined to reach Johnson City, Jones resolved to get as close as possible; if worst came to worst, he could participate virtually via FaceTime to walk his daughter down the aisle. He parked his Ford Explorer at the Interstate 26 exit and began walking toward the bridge that troopers said was washed out.

“I packed my backpack with a shaving kit and a few days’ worth of socks and underwear, grabbed a windbreaker, and set off,” Jones recounted.

Guided by a Reflective Vest and an Old Colleague

After walking three to four miles, Jones encountered numerous washed-out roads filled with debris from farms, fences, and large trees, he said.

During his trek, he came across a bulldozer clearing away debris. He shared his plan with the operator, who looked at him like he was “crazy.”

Despite the debris and mud that felt like quicksand, Jones persevered and made his way back to the Interstate. However, just half a mile down the road, he found the bridge he needed was “totally destroyed,” just as the troopers had warned earlier.

He made his way to the bridge and successfully crossed it because the officers assigned to block it were absent, he mentioned. Once he reached the other side, a trooper offered him a ride to the town hall in Erwin, after which he resumed his journey on foot.

While navigating the dimly lit backroads of eastern Tennessee, Jones had a close call when a car nearly struck him. This incident led him to pick up a red reflector to ensure drivers could see him better. With the reflector in hand, he continued for an additional eight miles until a former colleague from two decades ago stopped to give him a ride for the final stretch.

In total, Jones covered a distance of 26.82 miles, which included 10 miles by car and approximately 17 miles on foot.

A Significant Moment

When Jones finally arrived home in Johnson City, he faced a dark house with no running water because the electricity was out. Still, he managed to take a cold shower, put on a backup suit, and make it to Elizabeth’s wedding right on time.

Jones decided to wait until after the wedding to share his adventure with his daughter so she wouldn’t worry about “her dad getting lost in the wilderness” on her special day.

It wasn’t until Jones gave his speech at the reception, revealing the red reflector he had picked up during his trek, that his daughter truly grasped the lengths he went to be present for her big day.

“I handed over the reflector and said, ‘I want this to serve as a reminder for you two. Whenever you see it, remember to look out for each other, especially during tough times, just like this reflector helped me,’” Jones reflected.

The whole experience felt like a “full circle moment,” culminating in an emotional reunion where Jones, his daughter, and their family embraced and shed tears together.

Jones recalled his daughter saying, “If my father loves me this much, just think about how much our Father in Heaven must love us.”