Remains Found Nearly 2 Years After Deadly Hurricane Helene

Authorities have confirmed the identification of Nancy Tucker, a Tennessee woman who had been missing since Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the Southeast nearly two years ago. Her remains were discovered on September 12, 2026, in the Jackson Island area of the Nolichucky River by debris removal specialists. Tucker was the last person reported missing in Washington County following the catastrophic flooding caused by Helene. Her husband's body was recovered days after the storm.

Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, 2024, as a Category 4 hurricane, unleashing torrential rain and causing catastrophic flooding across the southern Appalachians, particularly in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. The mountainous terrain amplified rainfall, leading to severe flooding and landslides. The storm was responsible for at least 250 deaths in the United States, marking it as the deadliest hurricane in the contiguous U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. At least 175 deaths were directly attributed to the storm's effects. Tennessee recorded 18 deaths connected to Helene, with East Tennessee experiencing particularly deadly flooding.