A family in Minneapolis, North Carolina, is going through a terrible tragedy and they need our thoughts and prayers now more than ever.
Melissa Guinn, a caring mother of four, was sadly taken by the fierce waters of Hurricane Helene right in front of her husband Jamie and their 8-year-old son River.
It’s really sad to see the impact of the recent storms across America. Many lives have been lost and many homes have been ruined because of two back-to-back powerful storms: Helene and Milton.
On September 27, the Guinn family took shelter inside their home in Minneapolis, N.C., but Hurricane Helene would change their lives forever.
Their house overlooked a river which turned out to be dangerous when the storm caused terrible mudslides. As the storm got worse, their home started to fall apart down the hillside as reported by Fox News.
Sadly, four-time mother Melissa Guinn was swept away right before her husband’s eyes along with little River.
“It sounded like an explosion. I just remember being crushed by everything falling around me,” Jamie told WRAL. “And I can remember yelling for my little boy while hearing him scream too. Somehow we dug through where it collapsed almost into the river until I found him.”
But Melissa was nowhere around. Her last words rang out amid all that chaos: “Babe, watch out!” she shouted.
‘Dad, I think Mommy’s gone’
In an act of bravery, Jamie threw River onto dry land away from their collapsing house. But when they looked back for Melissa she had disappeared.
“I rushed right after my little boy calling for my wife because I couldn’t hear her anymore,” Jamie remembered.
“He looked at me saying ‘Dad, I think Mommy’s gone.’”
Jamie said he heard his wife screaming from where their home used to be but then she just vanished. He fears another mudslide pulled her into the river.
Unfortunately this nightmare wasn’t over yet.
Jamie and River had to make it through debris rushing water and mud for hours just to get help! Jamie himself got hurt; he broke his spine and cut his head.
Yet even though he was physically hurt nothing compared to how heartbroken he felt when he learned that his beloved wife—their children’s mother—had been found dead on October 7—ten days after that awful day!
They were only weeks away from celebrating ten years together!
A devoted wife & loving mom
“I don’t think I fully understand what happened,” he said. “Part of me feels like I’m still shocked trying to grasp everything that went down.”
Melissa was not only a devoted wife but also an amazing mom leaving behind four sons: Brandon Sebastian Ethan & River.
“She was my best friend! Honestly don’t know how I’ll manage without her since we did everything together,” Guinn shared with Fox News.
According to a GoFundMe created by one of Jamie’s coworkers Melissa shined in every role—a great mom daughter sister & friend! She was described as beautiful strong passionate generous showing what it means to be truly kind-hearted!
God bless them! Such heartbreaking news.
I’m praying they find comfort & peace!
