In a remarkable display of determination and love, Sam Perkins, 38, hiked 11 miles through treacherous, hurricane-ravaged terrain in North Carolina to ensure the safety of his elderly parents. After losing contact with them following Hurricane Helene’s devastating landfall, Perkins embarked on a dangerous journey on foot, navigating blocked roads and landslides to reach his parents in the isolated town of Asheville.
Hurricane Helene isolates Asheville, traps residents
Asheville, one of the areas hit hardest by the hurricane, became ground zero for Helene’s devastation in North Carolina, where 30 of the 121 hurricane-related deaths have been reported. With roads destroyed by landslides and flooding, and communication lines down, many residents were left stranded, including Perkins’ parents.
“By Saturday morning, I hadn’t heard from them and I just knew I had to get there,” Perkins told CNN. After attempting to drive and encountering blocked roads at every turn, he decided to make the trip on foot.
“I tried every road route I could, but the roads, no matter where you go, are blocked by landslides or failures. I can’t tell you how many failing roads and deep mudslides I had to cross, how many fallen trees I had to take off my backpack for and navigate through,” Perkins shared.
A four-hour trek to safety
It took nearly four grueling hours for Perkins to complete the 11-mile hike, ascending 2,200 feet through hazardous conditions. His determination paid off when he finally reached his parents’ home, finding them alive and safe, albeit isolated without resources.
“I have never been so relieved to see anyone OK,” Perkins recounted. Upon arrival, he embraced his parents, updated them on the storm’s aftermath, and assessed the property damage together, planning their next steps.
Widespread devastation from Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene made landfall on Thursday night as a Category 4 storm, ravaging Florida’s Gulf Coast before moving through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. The storm left a trail of destruction, uprooting trees, damaging homes, and causing rivers to overflow, overwhelming dams and infrastructure.
In Asheville, authorities confirmed multiple fatalities but faced challenges contacting families due to communication failures. In Buncombe County, where Perkins’ parents live, rescue efforts continue, though the aftermath of the storm has made reaching certain areas almost impossible.
Federal response and ongoing recovery efforts
On Saturday, President Joe Biden received updates from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall. The President expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of life and destruction caused by Helene and reassured the public that the administration was working to provide rapid support to the affected communities.
In a heartfelt statement, Biden said he was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy and was keeping the affected families in his thoughts and prayers. Criswell has since visited the devastated areas in Florida and plans to survey the damage in Georgia and North Carolina in the coming days.
A testament to resilience
For Sam Perkins, the 11-mile journey was a small price to pay for the peace of mind of knowing his parents were safe. His story serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of individuals facing extreme adversity in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s destruction. As recovery efforts continue, communities across the Southeast are rallying to rebuild and support those who have been hardest hit by this catastrophic storm.