Hurricane Helene, the deadliest mainland storm since Katrina in 2005, has claimed the lives of 200 people as rescuers continue their search for survivors. The deaths have been reported in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
The number of people missing is counted in hundreds, and the number of homes left without electricity is nearly a million. Unfortunately, rescue teams face challenges as many roads rendered impassable by the storm’s destruction.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper highlighted the severity of the situation, saying that the rugged landscape has made it difficult for many communities to receive any assistance.
Among those who lost their lives is 7-year-old Micah Drye of Asheville, North Carolina. He and his grandparents were swept away by floodwaters after seeking refuge on a rooftop. The boy’s mother, Meghan, survived.
The news of Micah’s death was disclosed by his aunt, Jessica Drye Turner, who also shared the boy’s final words, “Jesus! Please help me!”
The heartbroken aunt expressed her grief and pain over the loss of her sister’s son. “New grief and strong faith. New motto.”
The boy’s lifeless body was located about a quarter mile from where his mother had been rescued.
Meghan’s other sister, Heather Kephart, started a GoFundMe page to help Meghan after the devastating loss of her son, her parents, and all her belongings, including her home.
The fundraising page included a photo of sweet Micah, taken by his grandmother mere days before the tragedy. He could be seen wearing a Jurassic World T-shirt and smiling.
This family’s huge loss is just one of many caused by the devastating storm.
Wоmаn issuеs tеrrifying wаrning аftеr finding а strоllеr аbаndоnеd оn thе sidе оf thе rоаd
A new disturbing scam that takes advantage of the generosity of strangers has emerged, and one mother, Nancy Walsh, is sharing a warning that could sаvе you from getting yourself into trouble.
Her urgent message reads: “If you see a stroller, car seat, or any type of baby situation alone in the middle of nowhere, please, I repeat, don’t get out. Be safe.”
Of course, when noticing any baby equipment on the side of a road, our initial reaction would be to get out of the car and make sure no baby or child is in trouble.
Walsh, an estate agent, encountered this potentially alarming scene that might raise concern for individuals traveling alone.
She posted photos of an аbаndоned stroller positioned on the side of a country road. Her car appeared to be the sole vehicle in the area, and her headlights illuminated the pram, which was oriented away from her direction of travel, making it impossible to determine if there was anything inside it.
The stroller was positioned on a grassy verge adjacent to the road, which was flanked by large trees on one side. This kind of scenario might be particularly unsettling due to the isolated setting and the mysteries associated with the аbаndоned stroller.
According to Walsh, and plenty of other social media users, this is a trap. “Never get out. Always call 911 and let local authorities investigate,” one person wrote. “Yes, people lie in wait. At best they rob you, at worst they bash you too,” another added. “Families are struggling, some of them will use kids as bait,” some else commented.
This alleged scam is done in order for a person to get out of their vehicle and leave it unattended while they check on the stroller. The scammers then steal the vehicle, rob the person, or even hurt him physically.
However, there were also those who commented under Walsh’s post and said that some people leave baby stuff at the side of the road because they are still usable and they don’t want to throw them as someone might find them useful.
But most of them agreed that the reason behind these аbаndоned strollers is sinister. “Someone may have put it on for when someone gets off [the road] to see what happens…,” a person wrote. Another agreed, adding: “It’s a bait trap. don’t get out. Pull over. STAY IN THE CAR. Lock the door. And call 911 FAST.”
Walsh’s warning isn’t the first one issued on the same matter.
“OMG – I would be out of the car so fast to check, thanks for the warning,” one mother commented. “This is so cruel because they are targeting the best of us,” another person who said they would certainly get out and check if there was a child in dаngеr added.
The ‘аbаndоned baby’ scam is a troubling part of a broader trend of deceptive practices aimed at exploiting the goodwill of kind-hearted individuals. Other similar scams involve a person feigns being passed out on the roadside while others wait in ambush to аttасk those who offer help.
Some people shаrеd their personal experiences with such scams. “I pulled over to help a man passed out on the side of the road once. The police officer yelled at me and said it is often a scam and as a single woman I should be more careful,” one social media user posted. “I have heard of women screaming for help only to do the same thing. Just call the cops and move on,” another person warned.
Walsh’s post gathered plenty of attention and has been shаrеd 23,000 times.
No matter the urge to provide help to those we believe are in some sort of trouble, we should always be extra cautious and make sure we don’t put our own lives at risk.
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