North Carolina man hikes 11 miles and up mountain to get to elderly parents trapped in post apocalyptic Asheville after Hurricane Helene
Sam Perkins would walk to the ends of the Earth for his parents - and over the weekend, he nearly did.
Sam Perkins would walk to the ends of the Earth for his parents - and over the weekend, he nearly did.
On Saturday morning, Perkins, 38, set out on a perilous trek, trudging through 11 treacherous miles to make sure they were alright in their home in the mountains of North Carolina.
I did this because I have parents that have been amazing to me, he told the DailyMail.com
Hurricane Helene had just laid waste to the western part of the state, and he hadnt heard from his parents for 48 hours.
Sam Perkins would walk to the ends of the Earth for his parents
On Saturday morning, Perkins, 38, set out on a perilous trek, tramping 11 treacherous miles to see them in the mountains of North Carolina , where they liv
I was doing the math in my head, Perkins said. If they needed medical attention, if they needed water, I needed to get to them soon. His parents, although resourceful, are in their 70s
I was doing the math in my head, Perkins said. If they needed medical attention, if they needed water, I needed to get to them soon.
His parents, although resourceful, are in their 70s.
With the clock ticking, Perkins got in his car and started driving toward their home, which is tucked away on a mountain between Spruce Pine and Little Switzerland.
My parents live in an absolute gem of the North Carolina mountains, he wrote on Facebook. Under normal circumstances, its pleasantly very isolated.
Little did I know that up there Helene has demolished roads, homes, and utility networks. This area is completely cut off from resources in every direction.
In North Carolina, Helenes brutal devastation has left more than 100 people dead. In Buncombe County- home to Ashville- at least 30 people died
Perkins tried driving various routes to get to his parents but soo discovered that the roads were unpassable by vehicle
I did this because I have parents that have been amazing to me, Perkins told the DailyMail.com
In North Carolina, Helenes brutal devastation has left more than 100 people dead. In Buncombe County - home to Ashville - at least 30 people died.
The storm brought about massive destruction, flooding roads and reducing buildings and homes to ruins.
According to Gov. Roy Cooper, a minimum of 280 roads are closed throughout the state.
Perkins tried driving various routes to get to his parents but soo discovered that the roads were unpassable by vehicle.
At the bottom of the mountain, he abandoned his vehicle and undertook the rest of the 11-mile journey on foot.
At the bottom of the mountain, he abandoned his vehicle and undertook the rest of the 11 mile journey on foot
During his hike, Perkins encountered sights he described to the DailyMail.com as very post apocalyptic
During his hike, Perkins encountered sights he described to the DailyMail.com as very post apocalyptic.
He said that high winds and possibly tornadoes had demolished earth and roads and trees.
Perkins described the destruction as constant. He said that for miles, there were down trees, mudslides, and collapsed roads.
As he climbed up the mountain, the devastation got worse.
He encountered badly hit individuals who lived on the mountainside and were doing what they could to clear away fallen branches and trees with chainsaws.
Perkins described the destruction as constant. He said that for miles, there were down trees, mudslides, and collapsed roads
To reach his parents house, he hiked 2,200 treacherous feet
Perkins noted that they would have a trek to get back to civilization.
To reach his parents house, he hiked 2,200 treacherous feet.
Im a good hiker and for me it was difficult.
But when he finally reached his parents house, he saw a sight that brought him immediate relief.
Im a good hiker and for me it was difficult, Perkins said of his journey
I walked up their property, Perkins told the DailyMail.com. And I stumbled on my dad among the down trees and felt the greatest relief in my life.
I hugged him and balled and went inside the house and did the same with my mom.
Both of his parents were okay. They had sufficient food, and although they were almost out of water, they had enough propane to boil some.
He also learned that his parents were trapped.
The area, which has always been isolated, was truly now an island. There were also very few locations where phone or internet service was available.
I walked up their property, Perkins told the DailyMail.com. And I stumbled on my dad among the down trees and felt the greatest relief in my life
At some point, folks are going to run low on supplies, Perkins said. He added that medicine and baby formula were critically needed.
Fortunately, Perkinss parents live in a close neighborhood, where residents are helping each other remain supplied.
But this spirit of solidarity wasnt confined to his parents neighborhood. During his hike up the mountain, Perkins encountered chainsaw crews from Florida, Indiana, and other states affected by Hurricane Helene.
They had all come to help out.
