Man Fearing the Worst Hikes 11 Miles to Parents' Home After Hurricane Helene, and Finds Them Alive: 'So Relieved'

Mar. 15, 2025

Residents make phone calls in their neighborhood after heavy rains from hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage on Sept. 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina.Photo:Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty

Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty

In aFacebook postshared on Sunday, Sept. 29, Sam Perkins, of Charlotte, wrote about not having heard from his parents in 48 hours as Helene wreaked havoc on his state — so far claiming at least 35 lives in Buncombe County, perABC affiliate WLOS.

“I was drowning in worry,” Perkins wrote. “My parents live in an absolute gem of the NC mountains — the Little Switzerland, Spruce Pine, Burnsville area — halfway between Asheville [part of Buncombe County] and Boone. Under normal circumstances, it’s pleasantly very isolated.”

Perkins said he discovered that the storm damaged roads, homes and utility networks, resulting in the area being cut off from resources at all points.

Despite his folks being “completely trapped” in their home, he wrote, “I have never been so relieved to see anyone ok.”

Perkins also described the harrowing scenes he witnessed, including failing roads, fallen trees, rising waters and people who were trapped in both directions of the highway.

“I’m still processing it all,” Perkins continued on Facebook. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Power is a couple weeks out. I cannot fathom how long it will take DOT [Department of Transportation] to repair the curvy roads that hug steep mountainsides with the most amazing views.”

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“Most of all, I want my parents to have the same basic needs they always provided me — food, water, shelter (house is mostly ok) and the ability to explore!” he added. “But they can’t even leave their home right now. The steep part of their gravel road has braided channels only 18" wide but up to 5' deep from rushing water.”

“It’s just a waiting game now,” Perkins said on Facebook. “If you are or you have family in the mountains, I feel for you. Know that crews are chipping away.”

He opened up about finding his parents, who are in their 70s, in an interview withCNN. “I just hugged them, cried, filled them in on all the news they were missing,” he told the outlet. “Walked around the property, helped them decide how to approach some challenges.”

Not wanting to use up his parents’ supplies, Perkins told the outlet that he headed back down and trekked back. He later found a ride from someone in the area on an unaffected road.

PEOPLE contacted Perkins for additional comment on Monday, Sept. 30.

North Carolina is just one of several states in the southeastern United States —including Florida, South Carolina and Georgia — that experienced Helene’s wrath last week. As of Monday, Sept. 30, the death toll from the stormhas reached at least 107 people, per anAssociated Presstally.

Throughout Western North Carolina, hundreds of residents are still without water and power,ABC affiliate WLOS. At least 35 people have died in Buncombe County, per the report.

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has been sharing updates on X about the rescue and recovery efforts in his state.

“North Carolina is strong and our first responders are the best in the nation,” Cooper said ina Sunday, Sept. 29, statement. “I am thankful for their hard work and for risking their lives to protect all North Carolinians. This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response.”

President Joe Bidenapproved disaster declarationsfor a number of the affected states, including North Carolina, that will make federal funding available.

source: people.com