Tragedy Strikes Across 6 States: Remembering Lives Lost in Hurricane Helene
Tragic incidents unfolded during Hurricane Helene as firefighters lost their lives due to a toppled tree while responding to a fire. A retired father, who had plans to travel overseas, tragically drowned in his Florida apartment. Meanwhile, factory workers clung desperately to a semi-truck as floodwaters overtook them.
Since making landfall on the Florida Gulf Coast, Hurricane Helene and its aftermath have claimed the lives of at least 162 individuals as it swept through multiple states, causing record rainfall and extreme flooding throughout the Southeast. With countless people still unaccounted for, officials anticipate that the death toll may continue to climb.
Casualties related to the storm have emerged from Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia. The deceased include first responders, parents, grandparents, and children.
Here are some personal stories of those who tragically lost their lives:
Security Officer Drowned in Flood Waters
A security officer working at a courthouse in Macon County, North Carolina, was found deceased after his truck was overwhelmed by floodwaters during his lunch break.
“This is one of the hardest announcements we’ve ever had to make,” the Macon County Sheriff’s Office shared on social media Monday. At approximately 11:30 a.m. Friday, a 911 caller reported spotting a truck in a flooded river. Witnesses claimed they saw someone inside the vehicle before it disappeared beneath the water. The Nantahala River runs nearby.
The truck was found to belong to Jim Lau, a deputy in the sheriff’s department. His colleagues quickly realized he hadn’t returned from his lunch break, leading to a search effort that involved various agencies using foot patrols, boats, and drones. However, the search was halted due to darkness.
Search efforts resumed the next morning, and unfortunately, Lau’s body was recovered. An investigation is currently ongoing.
“Jim was highly respected and liked in our department,” said the post. “He was known for his strong work ethic, reliability, and willingness to assist whenever needed.”
The post encouraged people to keep Lau, his colleagues, and loved ones in their prayers. “Let us also pray for the entire western North Carolina community,” the message stated. “The tragedies affecting our mountain communities are beyond comprehension.”
Two Firefighters Killed by a Fallen Tree
In Saluda County, South Carolina, two firefighters tragically lost their lives en route to a fire when a tree fell on their firetruck, according to officials.
Chief Chad Satcher, age 53, and 18-year-old firefighter Landon Bodie were responding to an active fire scene early Friday when the accident occurred, as reported by the Saluda County Fire Service on Facebook.
This loss has been described as “devastating” by the department. Saluda County, with a population of around 18,800, is located an hour west of Columbia. Both Satcher and Bodie were affiliated with the Circle Volunteer Fire Department, the post noted.
“We would like to express our gratitude for the overwhelming support and comfort during this tough time from our community, state, and nation,” said the post. “Please keep our firefighters and their families in your thoughts and prayers as they navigate this tragic loss.”
In a previous post, the department honored Satcher and Bodie, acknowledging them as “dedicated members who cared deeply for their communities and neighbors, ultimately making the greatest sacrifice.”
Dual Fatalities as Flood Engulfs Factory
Two women lost their lives, and multiple others are missing following catastrophic flooding at a factory in Tennessee, where workers were forced to cling to a semi-truck for survival as floodwaters engulfed the area.
The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition reported the tragic deaths of Bertha Mendoza, 56, and Monica Hernandez, 45, after keeping in contact with their families.
Both women were part of a group of workers at Impact Plastics in Erwin, who clung to the semi-truck for hours while waiting for rescuers as the turbulent Nolichucky River rose around them. When the truck tipped over, numerous workers, including these two, were swept away.
Mendoza was separated from her sister in the chaos, attempting to stay above water together, according to a dedicated GoFundMe page. Her body was found on September 29, although officials have yet to publicly identify her.
Her family described Mendoza as a devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter, and grandmother. “She was cherished by her family, friends, church community, and coworkers,” the GoFundMe stated.
Hernandez leaves behind her husband, Daniel Delgado, and their three children, Angel, Carlos, and Felix, as mentioned in a GoFundMe.
“This sudden and tragic loss has profoundly affected her family and loved ones,” the GoFundMe, which has raised over $23,000 as of Wednesday, noted. The family requested contributions to assist with Hernandez’s funeral expenses, as it was her desire to be buried in Mexico next to her deceased daughter Maria Fernanda.
Three additional workers are still unaccounted for days after an incident that occurred on Friday. The situation is currently under investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Jacob Ingram, an employee at Impact Plastics, informed the Knoxville News Sentinel, part of the YSL News Network, that managers denied employees permission to leave, instructing them merely to relocate their vehicles. However, the company has rejected these claims.
Longtime Firefighter Passes Away in Georgia
Chris Wright, the police chief of Blackshear, Georgia, a small town with a population of around 3,500 located southwest of Savannah, remarked that Vernon “Leon” Davis and his family “are just good people.”
Davis, who served as a firefighter for over 30 years, tragically lost his life on Friday morning while responding to a downed power line as Hurricane Helene approached the area. The 69-year-old was fatally injured when a tree fell on his vehicle as he was departing the scene.
“You won’t meet a better person,” Wright stated, having known Davis for many years. “Leon would help anyone in need. He constantly volunteered his time. Even at 69, he could outwork most people in their 30s.”
Davis is survived by his two sons, Scott and Kevin, who is also a firefighter, and his wife of 47 years, Shirley.
An obituary from Pearson-Dial Funeral Home said that Davis “never missed an opportunity to assist someone in need.” He cherished his sons and grandchildren, who were “his pride and joy,” and loved taking his grandsons off-roading in his side-by-side vehicle. He passed away while “doing what he loved, helping our community during Hurricane Helene.”
Prior to retirement, Davis worked at Ware State Prison, where he led the inmate firefighting team, and subsequently served as the assistant chief of the Blackshear Fire Department.
The close-knit community is still in shock, according to Wright, but they have come together after facing significant challenges.
“This is one of the kindest places you’ll ever find,” Wright remarked. “There is a strong sense of pride within the community. Many churches canceled their Sunday services to send members out to assist with cleanup efforts.”
Retired Attorney Drowns in Florida Apartment
A 71-year-old man who intended to visit his homeland of Ireland was found deceased in his bedroom in his Florida Gulf Coast apartment.
Aiden Bowles, a former attorney, resided in Indian Rocks Beach, situated in Pinellas County between Clearwater and St. Petersburg. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department reported that Bowles “appeared to have drowned due to the rising water entering the home.”
Originally from Glanmire, Ireland, Bowles had moved to the U.S. over thirty years ago. According to the Irish Examiner, he recently planned a trip back to his native country.
His son, Sam, shared that he had spoken to Bowles around 10 p.m. on Thursday, during which his father assured him that “everything was fine and the storm had passed.”
“The next morning, around 9:30 a.m., the police contacted me to inform me that my father had passed away in his home, which was surrounded by approximately eight to ten feet of water,” Sam said.
South Carolina Mother Found Dead After Floodwater Sweeps Away Car
A woman in South Carolina lost her life on Friday morning when her vehicle was carried away by rushing floodwaters, according to authorities.
Karen Denise McCall, 60, was located on Saturday by a helicopter search team that discovered her overturned Toyota sedan in a wooded area beside a severely flooded road. Her family had reported her missing after she failed to pick up a relative and had not been in contact with anyone.
McCall resided in Anderson, a city with a population of 28,106 people located in northwestern South Carolina.
Known affectionately as “Nona” by her five grandchildren, she had a generous heart, sharing “all she had without expecting anything in return,” as reflected in her obituary. “She will be greatly missed.”
