By CatholicVote | Created at 2025-01-10 20:22:48 | Updated at 2025-01-10 23:58:08
3 hours ago
CV NEWS FEED // The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has released the names of 104 individuals who lost their lives due to storm-related causes from Tropical Storm Helene.
The list was made public this week, more than three months after the historic flooding struck Western North Carolina Sept. 27.
The list, shared with media outlets Jan. 6, confirms one additional fatality since the last report of 103, Asheville Citizen Times reported. The latest addition is linked to Mitchell County, which now reports three deaths related to the storm, up from two.
Among the victims are Felix and Lucas Wisely, two young brothers; firefighter Tony Garrison; and off-duty sheriff major Michelle Quintero.
The DHHS clarified that the names on the list include only those whose bodies were recovered in North Carolina. Victims found outside the state are not included. The released information contains no details such as ages, locations, or causes of death, but DHHS has provided a county-organized list with the corresponding dates of death upon request.
As of Jan. 7, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office reported that there are no remaining storm-related missing person cases in the area. However, Yancey County has three individuals still missing. The community continues to mourn and recover from the disaster, with the hardest-hit Buncombe County confirming 42 deaths — though one death was recently corrected to Henderson County.
Among the 11 victims from Henderson County are Angela “Angie” Ruth Maybin Walker, Phyllis Ann Matheson, and Michael Gene Matheson, who lost their lives in their home as a result of severe flooding, Hendersonville Lightning reported. Angela and Phyllis, sisters who lived together on Balfour Road, were found inside their damaged residence, which was impacted by the flooding from Clear Creek. Phyllis, 61, was remembered for her kindness and strong faith, while her 60-year-old sister Angie had a deep love for music, especially Elvis Presley.
Another tragic loss was George Wesley Drye, 65, who drowned alongside his beloved service dog. His body was recovered from his truck, and efforts to locate his family were unsuccessful. Friends remembered him as a kind-hearted man.
Christopher John Zserai, 52, returned to Hendersonville from Pennsylvania to assist with cleanup efforts but fell from a tree and died while cleaning up storm debris.
