Hurricane Helene claims life in North Carolina flooding disaster
Tragic flooding from Hurricane Helene sweeps away North Carolina resident
The Dixon family never anticipated the danger lurking behind their North Carolina home until the creek turned into a furious torrent. Jessica Dixon recounted the tragic moment when her father was swept away, leading to his death, before they could escape. Thousands of residents around Asheville, including the Dixons, faced unexpected devastation as Hurricane Helene surged inland after hitting Florida’s Panhandle. The storm brought unprecedented rainfall to the scenic mountain region, resulting in the destruction of roads, bridges, and utilities, and causing multiple fatalities.
Jessica, 40, shared her family’s ordeal from a friend’s driveway in Asheville, near her hometown of Swannanoa. As water inundated their house, rising to chest level, her father, George, urged the family to flee. Despite their efforts, none of the five family members—George, his wife Jill, Jessica, and her two teenage sons, Parker and wheelchair-bound Kaden—reached the car. Jessica recalled her father going to retrieve her mother’s purse with the car keys attached. Suddenly, Parker cried out that Grandpa was gone, and George had been swept away.
Jessica believes her father, about to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary, was pulled through large bedroom windows by the floodwaters, along with furniture and other items. The remaining family members moved to a different room farther from the overflowing Bee Tree Creek. Jessica described how the water reached nearly to her chin as they clung to a guitar case and a dresser to stay afloat in the fetid water, contaminated by a flooded septic tank. She credits the guitar case with saving their lives.
Death toll from devastating floods in western NC has surged to 40, with bodies found in trees & debris. Hurricane Helene has claimed 133 lives across the Southeast. Survivors describe entire communities washed away. Damage estimated at $34B. Rescue efforts continue for the… pic.twitter.com/XjmPRcWdUY
— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) October 1, 2024
As the water receded, the family climbed out through windows at the front of the house, blocked by a refrigerator. They were rescued by firefighters who brought them to the Swannanoa Fire Rescue substation. Jessica’s mother, who suffers from arthritis, stayed with neighbors at a higher elevation, away from the creek.
Jessica later found her father’s body downstream, entangled in debris and fallen trees. Law enforcement retrieved a body matching George Dixon’s description from the creek near the Dixon residence on Sunday night, though they could not confirm the identity.
What Other Media Are Saying
- Hindustan Times: A North Carolina family’s encounter with a raging torrent turns into a death trap, highlighting the devastating impact of severe weather events on local communities.(read more)
- Reuters reports on the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene, where a North Carolina family lost a member to a raging torrent that swept through their home, highlighting the rapid and deadly nature of floods.(read more)
- Hindustan Times: Donald Trump declines CBS’ ’60 Minutes’ election special, leaving Vice President Kamala Harris to be the sole participant in the scheduled interview.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to the Dixon family during Hurricane Helene?
They were caught by surprise by the floodwaters, resulting in the death of George Dixon.
How did George Dixon die?
He was swept away by the floodwaters while trying to retrieve his wife’s purse.
What saved the rest of the Dixon family?
They clung to a large leather guitar case and a dresser to stay afloat.
Where did Jessica find her father’s body?
She found it downstream from their house, hung up in debris and fallen trees.
How did the Dixon family escape the flooded house?
They climbed out of windows after the water receded, as the front door was blocked by a refrigerator.
