Elderly couple trapped in Helene’s floodwaters 'were ready to die'—an unexpected detour helped rescuers save them
Hurricane Helene was a devastating reality for thousands of people. A Tropical Cyclone Report from the National Hurricane Center revealed that at least 250 fatalities were reported in the U.S. due to the deadly disaster. While many were holding on to their last breaths, worried that they wouldn’t see the light of day, miracles helped pull off dramatic rescues that gave them new hope. WBTV 3 shared the story of an elderly couple who was trapped in the floods in North Carolina. They, too, were ready to say goodbye as they saw no rescue signs. However, an unexpected detour caused the rescuers to locate Lois and Kenneth and save their lives.
Married for 40 years, when the duo was trapped in their home in McDowell County due to the waters, they refused to separate. When the water began collecting, the wife got worried. The couple tried to escape, but it was too late. They rushed into their bedroom and took refuge on high ground. Lois helped Kenneth get up on a cabinet while remaining on the ladder. However, the water levels were rapidly rising, and they were unsure if they would make it out. “We asked God to take us together. And we were ready to die. We were prepared to die,” the woman remarked.
As the water kept increasing, fear crept over them and they let out an earnest prayer. “I said to God, ‘This isn’t fair, why are you doing this to us? Why are you letting us suffer like this?” she recalled. The only thing the couple could do was wait and pray — and they did. “I said, ‘I don’t want to die and leave you lying up there, and I don’t want to stand on this ladder and watch you die,’" Lois recounted. They kept their hopes as high as possible and that’s when help stepped in. Nathaniel Cox, who works with the North Carolina Wildlife Commission and leads a water rescue team, was on his way to Asheville to render help during the hurricane.
Call it fortunate or unfortunate, but the team was stopped due to a landslide and had to take a detour. Cox, on a whim, made the decision to check out McDowell County and help people out. Just before their home could be swept away by the floods, the couple saw hope — Cox and his team arriving in time to their rescue. The man noted that they had “one shot” at rescuing the duo with little to no time and debris all around. What led them to the rescue also helped them pull it off.
Lois and Kenneth were safely out just before their homes were "completely destroyed.” A few days later, when the couple arrived to see the aftermath, they were disheartened at the sight of the destroyed home. Nevertheless, there too, they saw hope come through. Volunteer groups showed up and offered to help the elderly couple at no charge. After 5 months, their home was finally complete and restored. This entire turn of events offered Lois and Kenneth a newfound hope in humanity. Seeing the people show up and help helped them realize they have a new family where love and support overflow.