For One North Carolina Family, a Raging Torrent Turns into a Death Trap

By Bernie Woodall

SWANNANOA, North Carolina – Before the Dixon family recognized the peril, the creek behind their home had transformed into a furious torrent. Tragically, before they could escape, Jessica Dixon relayed that her father was swept away to his death.

The Dixon family is among thousands around Asheville who were taken by surprise and faced heartache when Hurricane Helene moved hundreds of miles inland after making landfall in Florida. The storm unleashed what experts describe as unprecedented rainfall on the scenic mountain region, resulting in the destruction of roads and bridges, widespread loss of power and water, and numerous fatalities.

From a friend’s driveway in Asheville, Jessica, 40, shared her family’s harrowing experience. This area once felt distant from the extreme weather affecting other parts of the country in recent years.

As floodwaters surged into their home and climbed to chest level, her father, George, instructed the family to evacuate. Unfortunately, none of the five family members – George, his wife, Jill, Jessica, and her two teenage sons, Parker and wheelchair-bound Kaden – made it to the car.

"Dad went to the back to grab my mom’s purse where the keys were attached,” Jessica recalled. “Then all I could hear was Parker saying, ‘Grandpa’s gone. Grandpa’s gone.’ And he was gone."

Jessica believes that her father, who was around 70 and preparing to celebrate his 50th wedding anniversary, was swept away by floodwaters through large bedroom windows along with the furniture and other belongings.

"It all went, Woosh!” she said.

The rest of the family retreated to a different bedroom, situated further from the overflowing creek. Jessica recalled that the water nearly reached her chin.

She and her family clung to a large leather guitar case and a dresser for six to seven hours to stay afloat in the contaminated creek water, which had turned foul due to a nearby septic tank overflow.

"That guitar case saved our lives," she remarked.

As the waters began to recede, the family managed to escape through the front windows, since the front door was blocked by a refrigerator.

While making their way down a nearly washed-out road, firefighters rescued them and transported them to a nearby fire rescue station. Jessica’s mother, who suffers from arthritis, stayed with neighbors living at a higher elevation, away from the creek.

Tragically, Jessica later discovered her father’s body a short distance downstream from their home, caught in debris and fallen trees.

Law enforcement officials reported that a body of a man, approximately 70 years old, was recovered from the creek near the Dixon family’s residence. They have yet to confirm whether it belonged to George Dixon.