Chrissy Murphy

This story was originally published in October 2024.

It’s not unusual for Wilson Creek to flood, with water rising several feet during periods of heavy rain.

But at Brown Mountain Beach Resort, nestled on the creek’s banks between the northern mountains of Burke and Caldwell counties, floodwaters had never reached the yurts and cabins guests use at the resort.

As Hurricane Helene approached Jeremy and Kelsey Wallace, who help run the resort and wedding venue, expected flooding but nothing dangerous.

The Wallaces were wrong.

The couple lost a home and nearly their lives as the creek rose from 2 feet to 28 feet deep. Kelsey, who helps plan weddings at the resort owned by her family, had a couple there that expected to get married that weekend.

Sheer terror

When the wat

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