Tennessee Finds Last Hurricane Helene Victim Two Years After Storm
Tennessee identifies last Hurricane Helene victim, Nancy Tucker, two years after the storm. Search efforts and recovery details revealed.
POLICY WIRE — Washington County, Tennessee — The remains of the final missing individual from Hurricane Helene in Tennessee have been identified, more than two years after the storm devastated Appalachian communities with severe flooding.
Nancy Tucker, 76, disappeared along with her husband, Jimmy Tucker, when floodwaters from the Nolichucky River swept their home away in rural Washington County on September 27, 2024. While Jimmy’s body was recovered within days, Nancy’s remains were not found until Saturday, according to Susan Saylor, a spokesperson for the Washington County Sheriff’s Department.
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The search for Nancy focused on Jackson Island in the Cherokee National Forest, where crews faced significant challenges due to debris and restricted access. Federal land regulations and the presence of Native American burial grounds limited the use of heavy machinery. After over 400 miles of foot travel through the area, the search team finally located her remains, leading to emotional moments among responders who had remained committed to the effort for two years.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
