Current:Home > Back11 Family Members Tragically Killed by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina-InfoLens
11 Family Members Tragically Killed by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina
View Date:2024-12-23 11:37:04
One family is dealing with unimaginable loss in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
In Fairview, N.C., a Sept. 27 landslide that was “triggered without warning by unprecedented rains” from the violent storm, killed 11 members of Jesse Craig’s family, according to a GoFundMe titled “Support the Craig Family After Tragic Loss.”
"My mother and father, my aunt and uncle, my great aunt and uncle,” Jesse told local news affiliate ABC11. “I've lost cousins, second cousins, things like that, but 11 people overall from this mudslide."
In addition to the devastating loss, the city of Fairview—which is lovingly referred to as “Craigtown” due to the family’s stamp on the community over eight decades—experienced intense destruction.
"It's unrecognizable now,” Jesse continued, “but this is where I was born and raised."
Jesse’s wife MeKenzie Craig is similarly reeling from Hurricane Helene, which has killed at least 223 people, per NBC News.
"We'll never make sense of it,” she shared with ABC11. “It's our community and our town. I don't know that it'll ever be the same. It's been that life-altering a situation. I haven't been able to process it yet. It's still it's not new because it feels like it's been forever. I don't even know what day it is."
Bryan Craig—another family member from Craigtown who said the family had recently celebrated a wedding—also spoke on the tragedy.
"It's been a tough week and a half," Bryan told ABC13. "It's devastating. You come walking out of this debris with a fan from the wedding. How does that make it? We're going to have some really great pictures from that wedding and pictures of people who are no longer with us."
While the family attempts to recover, MeKenzie emphasized the hope that their small community won’t be left behind.
“We don't want people to forget months down the road,” she continued to ABC11. “This isn't just a week or two fix. We have to be in it for the long haul. This is going to take years of work to repair to have it recognizable again."
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (3)
Related
- Britney Spears reunites with son Jayden, 18, after kids moved in with dad Kevin Federline
- New York library won't let man with autism use children's room. His family called the restriction 'callous'
- Activist to foundation leader: JPB’s Deepak Bhargava to deliver ‘lightning bolt’ to philanthropy
- Jersey Shore’s Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino and Wife Lauren Sorrentino Welcome Baby No. 3
- Kathy Bates likes 'not having breasts' after her cancer battle: 'They were like 10 pounds'
- 'Survivor' season 46: Who was voted off and why was there a Taylor Swift, Metallica battle
- Gisele Bündchen Addresses Her Dating Life After Tom Brady Divorce
- Millions of Americans overseas can vote — but few do. Here's how to vote as an American living abroad.
- Hurricane-stricken Tampa Bay Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees’ spring training field in Tampa
- Xcel Energy says its facilities appeared to have role in igniting largest wildfire in Texas history
Ranking
- Get $103 Worth of Tatcha Skincare for $43.98 + 70% Off Flash Deals on Elemis, Josie Maran & More
- Alabama Senate begins debating lottery, gambling bill
- Three men arrested at Singapore Eras Tour accused of distracting security to sneak fans in
- Save 40% on a NuFACE Device Shoppers Praise for Making Them Look 10 Years Younger
- Inside Dream Kardashian's Sporty 8th Birthday Party
- Putin’s crackdown casts a wide net, ensnaring the LGBTQ+ community, lawyers and many others
- United Airlines plane makes a safe emergency landing in LA after losing a tire during takeoff
- Maine mass shooter Robert Card had 'traumatic brain injuries,' new report shows
Recommendation
-
Brianna “Chickenfry” LaPaglia Explains Why She’s Not Removing Tattoo of Ex Zach Bryan’s Lyrics
-
'Survivor' season 46: Who was voted off and why was there a Taylor Swift, Metallica battle
-
Looking for a deal? Aldi to add 800 more stores in US by 2028
-
Woman Details How Botox Left Her Paralyzed From Rare Complication
-
Florida Man Arrested for Cold Case Double Murder Almost 50 Years Later
-
Denise Richards Looks Unrecognizable With New Hair Transformation
-
See Who Is Attending the Love Is Blind Season Six Reunion
-
Federal Reserve’s Powell: Regulatory proposal criticized by banks will be revised by end of year