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Ukrainian refugees, victims of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina

2024-11-12 18:39:42, Kosova & Bota CNA

Anna Wiebe moved to the United States from Ukraine 25 years ago. After the start of the Russian aggression in 2022, four of her relatives in Ukraine left the country and joined her. As Voice of America correspondent Rafael Saakov reports, they settled in North Carolina, a state that was hit hard by Hurricane Helene a few months ago.

"Here we planted pumpkins, basil, garlic and many different types of spices and greens. Even potatoes."

Ana Wiebe, originally from Ukraine, has lived in North Carolina for more than 20 years. After the beginning of the Russian aggression in Ukraine in 2022, her mother, sister along with her son and husband came to live with her.

But when Hurricane Helene caused massive flooding in late September, members of the Ukrainian family were among more than 100 North Carolina residents who lost their lives.

"Big streams of water were coming from all sides. It was impossible for them to enter the forest. We tried but the water level was high. I couldn't see the house, I would have seen it if it was there. I felt numb. I realized that the flood took them", resident Anna Wiebe tells the Voice of America.

The house where they lived was located on the bank of the "South Toe" river until the flood took it away.

"There is flooding here and the house was raised with concrete blocks 1.5 meters above the ground. It was a beautiful place, but not anymore," says Mrs. Wiebe.

Search teams found the bodies of her 42-year-old sister and her husband. While the body of the sick 73-year-old mother, left in bed, and the 13-year-old grandson, were never found.

"I am sad because they fled from Kherson in Ukraine and went through great difficulties to get here. Many people helped them on the way but I couldn't keep them safe here, maybe it's my fault".

The first floor of the house was completely flooded, windows were broken and a wall collapsed from the rushing water. As they tried to escape the floods, she thought of her mother and sister's family, but the phones did not work. She remembers how her mother had asked that her body be laid to rest in Ukraine.

"Recently, my mother had remained in bed and told me that when she passed away, the ashes of her body should be thrown here and the rest in Ukraine."

According to estimates, the storm caused more than $50 billion in damage across the state. Ms. Wiebe is hoping for help and has set up a website asking for help rebuilding her home. So far, she has collected over 44,000 dollars... but nothing will bring her family back./ VOA