A Virginia couple driving through the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina narrowly escaped being swept away by a massive mudslide triggered by the destructive Hurricane Helene. The harrowing event was captured on the rear dashcam of their vehicle, providing a chilling glimpse of just how close they came to disaster.
Alan and Kelly Keffer were driving along Interstate 40 near Old Fort, North Carolina, on October 3, 2024, when the mudslide suddenly crashed down the hillside behind them, missing their vehicle by mere seconds. The footage from their dashcam captures the terrifying moment when the earth gave way, sending a wall of mud and debris tumbling down the mountain and across the highway.
In the video, the mountainside is seen breaking apart, with rocks, dirt, and trees cascading onto the road in a torrent of destruction. The force of the mudslide was so powerful that it effortlessly shoved aside a cement barrier and engulfed the lanes of the interstate. Cars and semi-trucks traveling just behind the Keffers were suddenly faced with a life-threatening wall of debris that overtook the road.
The dramatic footage shows vehicles frantically pulling over as the mudslide surged across the highway, creating a scene of chaos. The Keffers, who had just passed through the area of impact, narrowly avoided being buried by the mud and rock that followed in their wake. The footage reveals how close they were to becoming victims of this natural disaster.
Alan Keffer’s voice can be heard on the video, exclaiming, “Whoa!” as the mudslide barrels down behind them. The shock and relief in his tone reflect the narrowness of their escape. Just moments earlier, they had been in the direct path of the oncoming landslide.
The mudslide was part of the larger devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene, which has been battering the southeastern United States with relentless rainfall, severe flooding, and hazardous conditions. Western North Carolina, particularly the mountainous regions like the Blue Ridge Mountains, has been especially vulnerable to landslides as the saturated ground can no longer hold the excessive rainwater brought by the storm.
While the Keffers were lucky enough to escape unharmed, other drivers behind them were not as fortunate. The mudslide caused significant disruption, trapping several vehicles and blocking the interstate. Emergency responders were immediately called to the scene to clear the highway and check for potential injuries or missing persons.
According to reports, debris from the mudslide was flung so high into the air that it soared over the tops of the semi-trucks parked on the side of the road. This highlights the incredible force of the slide, which moved with such velocity that even large vehicles and cement barriers stood little chance against it.
The stretch of Interstate 40 where the incident occurred was promptly shut down following the mudslide, as crews began the daunting task of clearing the roadway and assessing the damage. Local authorities have since warned drivers to avoid the area, as more rain from Hurricane Helene could lead to additional mudslides and road closures.
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall earlier in the week, has already left a trail of destruction in its wake, and the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated. Heavy rains have caused flash floods, rivers to overflow, and entire communities to become isolated due to washed-out roads and bridges.
For the Keffers, their near-miss serves as a stark reminder of how quickly natural disasters can strike and the life-threatening consequences that can follow. In an interview with local news, Alan Keffer reflected on their experience: “We were just lucky, plain and simple. A few seconds earlier, and we wouldn’t be here to tell the story. It’s terrifying to think how close we came to being buried.”
The Keffers’ ordeal is just one of many stories emerging from the region as residents and travelers face the ongoing dangers of Hurricane Helene’s aftermath. Local authorities and rescue teams are working around the clock to assist those affected, and the clean-up efforts are expected to take weeks, if not longer.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has declared a state of emergency in the hardest-hit areas, mobilizing additional resources to assist with disaster response. “Our thoughts are with those impacted by this storm, and we are doing everything we can to keep people safe and help them recover,” Governor Cooper said in a statement.
The Blue Ridge Mountains, known for their scenic beauty, have also proven to be particularly treacherous during Hurricane Helene. The steep terrain, combined with relentless rain, has made the area prone to landslides, further complicating rescue and recovery efforts.
As cleanup operations continue and emergency crews work to reopen blocked roads and provide aid to affected communities, stories like the Keffers’ serve as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by natural disasters. While they managed to escape with their lives, the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has left many others reeling, with roads, homes, and lives forever altered by the storm’s wrath.
The couple’s close encounter with the mudslide, captured in the dashcam footage, has since gone viral, with viewers marveling at the timing that saved them from tragedy. Their story underscores the unpredictable and often deadly nature of extreme weather events and the importance of staying vigilant during such times.
WATCH:
Virginia couple cheats death, barely missing mudslide in Carolina.pic.twitter.com/ETT8cSiRdS
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) October 3, 2024