The remains of Nancy Tucker, the last missing Tennessee victim of Hurricane Helene, were discovered nearly two years after the devastating storm struck the Appalachian region. The 76-year-old Tucker disappeared along with her husband, Jimmy Tucker, when flooding from the Nolichucky River destroyed their home in rural Washington County, located in northeastern Tennessee, on September 27, 2024. Jimmy Tucker’s body was recovered shortly after the flood, while Nancy Tucker’s had remained missing until this past Saturday, according to Susan Saylor, spokesperson for the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. Their son, who also lived in the house, was at work at the time of the flooding.

Hurricane Helene caused widespread destruction along the southeastern United States, resulting in more than 250 fatalities and nearly $80 billion in damages, impacting states from Florida to the Carolinas. In the mountainous border region between North Carolina and Tennessee, rainfall amounts reached up to 30 inches, turning normally calm streams into raging torrents. These floods uprooted trees, moved boulders, and swept away homes and vehicles, breaking flood records that had stood for over a century. Many of the lives lost in this region were attributed to these sudden and powerful floodwaters.

On the North Carolina side, the search for some victims continues. Among those missing is Alena Ayers, whose body has never been recovered. Her disappearance after the storm prompted the North Carolina legislature to pass “Alena’s Law” last year. The law facilitates the legal declaration of death for individuals who go missing during natural disasters, addressing the challenges faced by families and authorities in such circumstances.