A devastating event occurred along the Elk River in North Carolina, where a house was swept away by the destructive tide brought on by Helene. The homeowners, Rod Ashby and his wife Kim, had built their home 20 feet above the historic flood lines of the river, but unfortunately, their precautions were not enough to withstand the force of nature.
The incident took place during breakfast on a Friday morning when Rod Ashby noticed something was amiss. In a matter of seconds, their house was carried away by the river, leaving the family in a state of shock and despair.
According to their daughter, Jessica Meidinger, Rod Ashby managed to grab Kim, along with their three dogs, and clung to a mattress as their home floated downstream. Tragically, the house collided with the riverbank at a bend, causing it to break apart.
In a harrowing turn of events, the couple tried to hold onto a section of the wall as the structure disintegrated, eventually leading to their separation. Jessica recounted that it was the last time Rod saw his wife, and since then, Kim has been missing.
Despite the heartbreaking situation, Rod Ashby tirelessly searched the riverbank for his wife before seeking assistance from a neighbor. Search teams have been deployed in the area in an effort to locate Kim, described by her family as Rod's 'soul mate.'
Kim's daughter-in-law, Lauren, expressed hope that Kim, known for her resilience, managed to survive the ordeal. The family remains optimistic that Kim is alive and are holding onto the possibility that she made it out of the water.
