In the wake of Hurricane Helene, a powerful storm that wreaked havoc across several states, stories of survival and faith are emerging from the wreckage. One couple from North Carolina, Howard and Lisa Ray, have shared their miraculous escape from the floodwaters, attributing their survival to divine intervention and their unwavering faith in God.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in late September 2024, first hitting Florida’s Big Bend region before making its way through Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, and Tennessee. The storm caused catastrophic flooding, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 200 lives across six states. In the midst of this disaster, Howard and Lisa found themselves trapped in their home as floodwaters rapidly rose.
The couple’s harrowing experience began when their trailer started filling with water. In a moment of desperation, they used their couch as a makeshift flotation device. “I just want people to understand that you can’t give up; you’ve got to push no matter what,” Howard shared in an interview with Queen City News. “I don’t understand. We shouldn’t be alive; there’s no way, it’s all God.”
As the water surged, Lisa captured a poignant video on her phone, showing the aftermath of what was once their home. The couple clung to their couch as they floated along the Cane River, with the water level reaching alarming heights. “While she was still on the couch, I remember just holding onto her,” Howard recalled. “And I remember her saying, ‘We’re going to drown.’ And I was like, ‘No, if we’re going to drown, we’re going to drown together.’”
After floating approximately 400 yards, Howard instructed Lisa to grab onto a barbed wire fence to pull herself to safety. Despite sustaining injuries from the sharp wire, Lisa persevered, and they eventually found refuge in a nearby garage until the floodwaters receded.
Howard, who serves as a lieutenant with the Pensacola Volunteer Fire Department, felt compelled to return to his community to assist fellow first responders despite his own trauma. Meanwhile, Lisa faced her own challenges, including a hospitalization due to injuries sustained during their escape. Tragically, during her hospital stay, she learned of the death of her friend, Michelle Quintero, a captain with the Madison County Sheriff’s Office, who perished in the flooding.
Despite losing their home and vehicles, the Rays remain resilient, bolstered by their faith in God. Their church, Pleasant Valley Baptist, has stepped in to support them by providing accommodations through a disaster relief fund. “I know I might have lost everything but that doesn’t mean that I stop and that I’ve got to quit and just give up,” Howard said. “That’s not who I am.”
In the aftermath of the storm, the couple has also been reunited with their beloved dog, Saddi, who was found waiting for them near the remnants of their home. Lisa expressed her belief that their survival has a purpose, while Howard emphasized that their experience serves as a reminder of God’s presence in their lives.
As relief efforts continue, Christian organizations and volunteers are stepping up to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene. Chaplain Mitch Collier of Cajun Navy 2016, who has been involved in various disaster responses, described the devastation he witnessed as the worst he has ever seen. He emphasized the importance of faith in overcoming such tragedies, stating, “God is good. God sent us up here. I found some people that God steered me to.”
The resilience of the human spirit, combined with faith and community support, shines through even in the darkest of times. As the Rays and many others begin the long journey of recovery, their stories serve as a powerful reminder of hope, love, and the divine presence that sustains us through life’s storms.
For those looking to support hurricane relief efforts, consider donating to organizations like Samaritan’s Purse or Convoy of Hope, which are actively providing aid to affected communities.
In these trying times, let us all remember to uplift one another in prayer and action, embodying the love and support that Christ calls us to share with the world.