A family from North Carolina met a tragic fate as they attempted to escape the wrath of a hurricane.
Hurricane Helene struck parts of the United States on September 26, causing widespread devastation across several Southeastern states until September 29.
The destruction left in its wake has been severe, with certain towns nearly obliterated.
Among the hardest-hit areas are Chimney Rock in North Carolina and Steinhatchee on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
As of the latest reports, approximately 130 people have been confirmed dead due to the hurricane, with the death toll likely to rise since many individuals are still unaccounted for.
Among those confirmed to have perished in Hurricane Helene are Alison Wisely, her sons Felix, aged nine, and Lucas, aged seven, and her fiancé Knox Petrucci.
The family has been remembered as ‘the most beautiful souls to walk this Earth’.
Alison, Knox, and her sons resided in the Green Mountains of North Carolina. On September 27, they tried to escape their home, but their car began to float as they drove through the floodwaters.
They exited the vehicle to return to their home but were tragically swept away into the Toe River, according to WRAL.
The bodies of Alison, Felix, and Lucas were recovered first, while Knox’s body was not found until October 7.
A GoFundMe campaign has been established in memory of the young family, ahead of their memorial service on November 9 – the day Alison and Knox were to be married.
So far, generous contributions have raised over $65,000, close to the $70,000 goal.
The fundraiser, organized by Briana Yarbrough and Sarah Sheahan, designates Felix and Lucas’ father, Lance Wisely, as the main beneficiary.
In the GoFundMe description, Alison is remembered as ‘brilliant and wise’, while Knox is described as having ‘moved through life with authenticity and boundless love and acceptance’.
The creators of the GoFundMe page wrote about nine-year-old Felix: “Beloved, curious, precocious Felix wanted to know everything about the world. He delighted in all things magical and loved to talk about the unknown. He and his mother recently had a lot of fun producing Beyond Legends, a family-friendly podcast about cryptids, folklore, and the supernatural.
“He loved all the creatures of the Earth and beyond, even the ones others don’t believe in. He was fascinated by weather in general and tornadoes and hurricanes in particular.”
They described Lucas as: “Sweet Lucas brightened his family and friend’s days with his humor, kindness, and caring nature. He loved exploring the outdoors and had an incredible imagination.
“Most often sporting superhero garb and all things sparkly, Lucas never failed to make the grown-ups in his life laugh. He gave the best cuddles and loved cows of every kind.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends at (877) 969-0010.
To support the American Red Cross, which provides food, supplies, shelter, and emotional support to victims of crises, you can donate here.