Debris removal brings new search for 2 people still missing after Helene
By Madison Adams
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YANCEY COUNTY, North Carolina (WLOS) — Nearly two years after Helene swept away a Ukrainian family of four, investigators are searching a Yancey County debris pile for two family members who remain missing, including a 13-year-old boy.
The search began as crews started removing storm debris near the Toe River campground where the family’s home once stood along the South Toe River.
Yancey County Sheriff Shane Hilliard said two members of the family were recovered after the storm, but two others were never found. Yevhenii Segen, 13, and his grandmother, Tetyana Novitnia, remain missing.
“The big debris pile down here is being moved, and we are doing searches in the debris pile as it’s moved,” Hilliard said.
The sheriff’s office has searched the area repeatedly since Helene. Hilliard said the FEMA-approved debris removal gives investigators better access to search again.
“We are coming back out because this debris pile has been approved to move off the area, so we’re getting better access to search,” Hilliard said.
An SBI human remains detection K-9 named Sherry is searching the area as crews remove debris.
County officials said the cleanup project is expected to cost about $1 million. County Manager Lynn Austin said FEMA will pay the actual cost through its Public Assistance program.
Austin said crews will remove woody debris and construction and demolition debris. Some sand and sediment will remain at the campground for future repairs.
The cleanup is expected to take about 21 days if weather allows, Austin said. Southern Disaster Recovery, the contractor that has handled storm-debris cleanup in Yancey County since Helene, is doing the work.
Hilliard said investigators hope the renewed search can give the family answers.
“We want to give this family closure,” Hilliard said. “So if there’s a chance we can do that, that’s definitely what we want to do.”
The sheriff asked people along the river to report anything they believe may be connected to the flooding.
“If anybody, if they are up and down the river, see anything, definitely let us know and we’ll check it out further,” Hilliard said.
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