Hurricane Victim Recalls Son’s Harrowing Last Words

Megan Drye’s world changed forever when Hurricane Helene struck Asheville, North Carolina, claiming the lives of her 7-year-old son Micah and both of her parents. The last sound she heard from Micah was his desperate screams for help as he was swept away by the floodwaters.

“Jesus, save me!” were his final words before the river’s roar drowned out his voice, she recalled.

Megan and her family were huddled on the roof of their home, which slowly crumbled as the floodwaters rose. They had been pleading for help, convinced that the worst outcome would be spending a cold night outside. But as the river surged, the house broke apart, and the family was swept into the water.

“We were floating. The house was breaking apart,” Megan said, reliving the terrifying moment. Struggling against the current, Megan was dragged into a tree while her mother floated by, shouting that Micah was still behind them.

Despite her efforts, Megan couldn’t reach her son. Her father, too, was swept away. For hours, she fought to survive, clinging to debris and shipping containers as the floodwaters battered her. She was finally spotted by rescuers, narrowly avoiding a collision with an 18-wheeler swept away by the flood. “It crashed into the containers but didn’t move them. It’s unimaginable without the grace of God,” she said.

After being rescued, Megan begged authorities to search for her son. Days later, the bodies of her father and son were found, and her mother’s remains were discovered nearly a week later, washed up on the grounds of the historic Biltmore Estate.

Megan’s sister, Jessica, shared their family’s tragic story online, which quickly went viral. “My mom was so stubborn and feisty,” Jessica said. “She kept her backpack on her so they could ID her.”

Megan, now staying with her sister in Minnesota, is trying to find hope amidst the devastation. “There are no words to describe losing half of your heart, losing your child or parents,” she shared. “But I know they are at peace. My son’s last words were calling out to Jesus, and I know he is happy now.”

Despite her grief, Megan expressed concern for others facing the wrath of Hurricane Milton, which is currently ravaging the South. “I want to ask for prayers for those going through what we did. That’s the message I want to send—one of God’s grace giving us hope.”