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Search for Missing Teacher Kim Ashby Lost in Helene
Elk Park, NC -- November 7, 2024: The small mountain community of Elk Park, NC remains on high alert as the search
continues for Kim Ashby, a beloved middle school teacher.
She went missing in the devastating wake of Hurricane Helene. Kim, 58, vanished on September 27 when floodwaters tore through the area, sweeping her newly completed vacation home along the Elk River, where she and her husband, Rod, were staying with their three dogs.
On the day Kim disappeared, torrential rains caused the Elk River to overflow, leading to severe flooding that claimed homes and altered landscapes. The couple was inside their vacation home when the surging river shifted the entire structure. Rod managed to escape, clinging to debris until he was found two miles downstream. Despite frantic efforts to rescue her, Kim and their three dogs were swept away by the powerful current.
“The water was unlike anything we’d ever seen,” said Rod in a statement. “I tried to hold on, but it all happened so fast.” Authorities reported that the incident unfolded rapidly, leaving little time for the Ashbys to react.
Local law enforcement, search-and-rescue teams, and countless community volunteers have joined forces, deploying helicopters, drones, and search dogs to comb through rugged terrain and swollen waterways. The search area has extended into neighboring Tennessee, as the Elk River flows into Watauga Lake across state lines. Despite their exhaustive efforts, Kim has yet to be located.
“The community support has been incredible,” Rod said, reflecting on the outpouring of assistance from neighbors, friends, and even strangers. Volunteers have shown up daily, determined to help bring Kim home.
Remembering Kim Ashby
Kim Ashby has been an influential educator for over 30 years, teaching seventh-grade math at SanLee Middle School in Sanford. Known for her warm personality and passion for teaching, she’s touched countless lives in her community. Her colleagues and students have rallied in her honor, holding vigils and sharing memories, with many describing her as a compassionate teacher who always went the extra mile to help her students succeed.
“She was more than a teacher; she was a role model and a friend,” said one former student. “Everyone who knew her felt her kindness.”
Family and Community Support
Kim’s family has expressed their gratitude for the support they’ve received throughout this harrowing experience. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist Rod and the Ashby family with the financial challenges stemming from this tragic event, helping cover both search-related costs and personal expenses. The funds raised thus far reflect the deep respect and love for Kim within her community and beyond.
“This community is her family,” shared a local volunteer. “We’ll keep searching for Kim until we find her. She means so much to so many people.”
For those wishing to assist, updates on search efforts and ways to support the family are available through the GoFundMe page, and local authorities have set up a hotline for tips. As the days go by, Kim’s family and friends remain resolute, leaning on each other and the extended community as they continue to search, grieve, and remember Kim Ashby.
Contact Information If you have any information about Kim Ashby, please contact the local sheriff’s department or the Elk Park search-and-rescue unit.00
WNCTimes
Image: Gofundme page