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ALEXANDER COUNTY, N.C. (WBTV) - One year ago, historic flooding in Alexander County led to multiple deaths and devastation at the Hiddenite Family Campground.
Five people were swept away from the site in Alexander County. A sixth person was also killed in a crash after a bridge was out - covered by high water.
Related: Baby, four adults killed in floodwaters at NC campground identified
WBTV’s cameras were rolling as the waters raged through the campground. Approximately 33 people ended up being rescued.
Gary Herman, public information officer for Alexander County, said he still can’t stop tearing up when he talks about what happened.
He says though the recovery progress has continued, much of the community still hurts for the families of the six people who were killed, including a 1-year-old boy. His grandfather did everything he could to try and hold onto him in the rising floodwaters.
“I know the grandfather was just shaken up terribly, but the boy was in his arms and the floodwaters carried him away from him so ... I’m getting emotional this morning, one year later,” Herman said. “Of course, the main thing at the end of the day is we lost six of our people. And that’s what hurts and stings the most. We all saw this anniversary coming and it’s still fresh. It’s only been a year.”
The Hiddenite Family Campground still has not reopened and officials with the county say though progress has been made on the dozens of roads that were washed out, the cleanup and recovery continues.
When those floodwaters came, more than 50 roads were compromised, and four bridges were washed out. This was all while first responders were trying to locate family members, save people from homes, and more.
Now, a year later, most of the 16 roads that had to be repaired are repaired. One of the biggest jobs, Cheatham Ford Road, is set to be completed by the end of December, best case scenario.
“Most people don’t understand is, the 100-year flood plain is at the ground level right here, and the water was 12 feet deeper than that,” said Ken Korte, the manager at Hiddenite Campgrounds. “This house should have never got a drop of water anywhere near it.”
When the floodwaters came, it took the house and just about everything around it.
“Everything that day everything just happened at the worst possible time,” Korte said. “A lot more water than anybody would ever have expected. Three, four o’clock in the morning when everybody was asleep.”
For those at the lower ground levels, it was a fight just to survive.
“Sunshine” has been living at the campgrounds for a while and says no one could have been ready for that night.
“Something pushed us out of there,” Sunshine said. “So I grabbed my cat and I left. And I drove with water halfway up my windshield.”
Those left behind have to deal with the loss of those who didn’t make it.
These weren’t just neighbors, they were family, and the loss cuts deep.
“I was close to every one of them,” Sunshine said. “I definitely miss them.”
And the torment goes through their minds if something else could have been done to save more.
“Every day you think what could have been done,” Sunshine said. “I mean yeah, that’s just how it works. It’s not always going to be paradise. Life is not always about roses. This is where I felt the safest in my entire life and I want to come home.”
Survivors will be at the campground Friday night releasing lanterns to remember those they lost.
Copyright 2021 WBTV. All rights reserved.
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November 12, 2021 at 07:12PM
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ONE YEAR LATER: Repairs continue after historic Alexander Co. flooding that killed 6 - WBTV
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