Megan Drye, her son, and her parents were caught in the floods driven by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. Clinging to the roof of their home, the family watched as the floodwaters rose around them. After their house collapsed, tossing them into the water, Drye was the only survivor. She mourned the loss of her son Micah, her parents Nora and Michael, while also expressing gratitude for her own survival, crediting prayers and faith for helping her through the ordeal. The city of Asheville was severely damaged by the hurricane, with numerous casualties reported.
Drye texted her two older sisters about the rising water before her house collapsed, leading one sister to post the images on Facebook, asking for prayers. Drye believed that the prayers helped her through the situation and felt the presence of her son and parents with her even after they were gone. She described watching buildings fall apart, trucks floating by, and a dumpster landing on their roof before the collapse. Drye emphasized the importance of her faith in helping her survive, even as she struggled to stay above water amidst the chaos.
Stranded for hours on the roof, Drye eventually plunged into the floodwaters and lost sight of her son and mother in the chaos. She clung onto a tree and kept praying, relying on her faith to guide her through the ordeal. After being instructed by what she believed to be God’s voice, Drye let go and stopped fighting against the water. She had a harrowing experience of being struck by debris but eventually found safety wedged between two storage trailers before being rescued by a national rescue team.
Drye was eventually taken to Mission Hospital in Asheville for treatment, where she encountered compassion and assistance from medical staff. Despite the challenging circumstances, she was grateful for the kindness shown to her. Drye suffered from hypothermia, a fractured ankle, and various bruises from the debris in the floodwaters. Although still grieving and in pain, she expressed no resentment towards anyone, feeling proud of her son for calling out to Jesus in his final moments. She was thankful to the nurses, doctors, and others who helped her during her time in the hospital.
Visibly shaken but filled with gratitude, Drye shared her story of survival, acknowledging the role of prayers, faith, and divine guidance in helping her through the tragedy. She recounted the moment of having to let go and stop fighting against the powerful floodwaters, ultimately finding safety between two trailers before being rescued. Drye’s experience of loss, survival, and resilience in the face of a natural disaster struck a chord with many, inspiring compassion, empathy, and support from those who heard her story and reached out to help her in her time of need.
