The remains of Nancy Tucker, 76, the last missing victim from Hurricane Helene in Tennessee, were recovered on Saturday after a two-year search in the Cherokee National Forest, officials confirmed.
Jimmy Tucker, her husband, was found within days of the September 27, 2024, flooding that destroyed their home along the Nolichucky River in rural Washington County. Their son, who was at work during the disaster, survived. The family spokesperson stated the discovery allows them to “finally bring her home and properly lay her to rest with her husband.”
Search efforts, which had narrowed to Jackson Island in the Cherokee National Forest, faced logistical and bureaucratic challenges. Since February, crews had logged over 400 miles on foot in the rugged terrain, according to emergency officials.
Hurricane Helene killed more than 250 people and caused nearly $80 billion in damage from Florida to the Carolinas. In the Appalachian region near the North Carolina-Tennessee border, rainfall of up to 30 inches transformed streams into destructive torrents, sweeping away homes, vehicles, and century-old flood records. Many victims, including Tucker, were swept away in the flooding.
In North Carolina, the unrecovered body of Alena Ayers prompted the state legislature to pass Alena’s Law last year, easing the process for declaring missing persons dead after natural disasters. Tennessee officials did not immediately comment on whether similar measures would be considered.
The discovery follows years of uncertainty for Tucker’s family, who had awaited closure since the storm. Emergency responders emphasized the challenges of searching dense, flood-ravaged terrain while coordinating across agencies. The recovery effort underscores the long-term impacts of extreme weather events on rural communities.