Mother Dies in Son’s Arms During Hurricane Helene Aftermath as Helpless Family Watches Without Cell Service
( Image: GoFundMe)
Hurricane Helene’s wrath left a trail of destruction in Asheville, North Carolina, claiming lives and leaving families devastated. Among those affected was Shirley Rotolo, a 55-year-old mother who tragically died from a suspected heart attack while her helpless family watched, unable to call for help due to the hurricane’s impact on cell service.
In the chaotic days following the storm’s havoc, Shirley ventured out in search of supplies, witnessing firsthand the destruction of her beloved hometown. The stress of the situation seemed to overwhelm her, and on the morning of September 28, as the family remained trapped without cell service, Shirley passed away in their arms. Her daughter, Nausica, now describes the past ten days as “pure hell,” as she struggles to arrange a funeral from an Airbnb amid the chaos, reported ABC11.
“Mom loved Asheville. She always said it was the place where she had the most friends, where she loved her job, and where she was happy. I strongly believe that if this hurricane had not happened, she would still be here,” Nausica shared. In a heartfelt tribute on a GoFundMe page, the family expressed their grief: “We are in denial.
Our mother was our home, and we lost her as we watched our hometown be wiped away by the hurricane. The horror of this last weekend will stay with us forever.” They described Shirley as “a magical woman, passionate, strong-willed, and inspiring, with the best sense of humor, always making us laugh.” They pleaded with the community for support, saying, “Now that she is gone, I am hoping as a community, we can care for her family as she always did. Please give me whatever you can. Anything will help.”
Meanwhile, another family faces a similar nightmare after Kim Ashby was torn from her husband’s arms when their house was swept away. Kim and Rod Ashby had just completed building their dream mountain home in Elk Park, NC. The couple had visited their home ahead of the storm, intending to secure it before the hurricane hit. Their children, Chris and Jessica Meidinger, shared that their parents “didn’t know that it was going to be what it turned into,” as Helene ravaged southern states, leaving 166 people confirmed dead.
On Thursday night, Kim assured her children that they were safe in the house, which Rod had built 12 feet higher than the record flood level. But on Friday morning, a loud crack echoed through the home as a structural beam gave way. The couple rushed to higher ground but were trapped in their bedroom with their three dogs as the floodwaters engulfed them. The house was swept away, and when it collided with the riverbank, it collapsed around them.
Clinging to each other, Kim and Rod tried to withstand the powerful floodwaters, but they were ultimately separated when the current slammed them into a tree. Rod was found alive 24 hours later, but Kim remained missing. Chris explained, “That’s what split them apart, and he was not able to hold on to her.”
As the community grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the stories of Shirley Rotolo and Kim Ashby highlight the heartbreaking toll natural disasters can have on families, turning lives upside down in an instant.
