“We were expecting not to see him again.”
A Family’s Heartbreak Amid Hurricane Helene
When Hurricane Helene swept through Western North Carolina, the Collins family faced unimaginable devastation. Not only did their home suffer severe damage, but they also watched in horror as their beloved cat, Blanco, was carried away by the rising floodwaters.
Camille Collins and her husband, David, had welcomed Blanco into their family just months before after finding him sleeping in a compost bin. Despite being the newest addition, the stray white cat quickly became a cherished part of their lives, making the loss during the storm even more painful.
Blanco’s Journey into the Family
Blanco became a beloved member of the Collins family in June after warming everyone’s hearts with his gentle nature. “I remember petting him on the head, and he immediately started purring,” Collins said. Over the course of a few days, the family of eight had fully bonded with Blanco, who fit seamlessly into their farm life.
Blanco made himself at home, visiting the five RVs scattered around the property and even joining the family on hikes. “He loves going on hikes with us and laying down on my mom’s porch,” Collins shared.
But on September 26, everything changed.
The Day Hurricane Helene Struck
When Hurricane Helene hit, it brought life-threatening floods that devastated the Collins’ farm. Camille’s mother-in-law, Nan, and brother-in-law, Jonathon, were the only family members on the property when the storm intensified. As they rushed to move their belongings to higher ground, they noticed Blanco in a perilous situation—he was stranded on the roof of an RV.
Blanco had jumped onto Camille’s mother’s RV to escape the rising floodwaters, but as the RV began floating, it collided with a neighbor’s house. Blanco desperately tried to leap to safety, but he couldn’t hold on. Jonathon watched in despair as Blanco slid off the roof and disappeared into the water.
A Desperate Search and a Heartbreaking Goodbye
Jonathon and Nan were devastated, fearing the worst for Blanco. Despite their efforts to locate him, the powerlines and treacherous floodwaters made it impossible to continue the search. With heavy hearts, they sought shelter in the hills behind their property.
“When my husband and I learned of the extent of the destruction along our river, we had little hope of his return,” Camille shared. The family feared they had lost their beloved cat forever.
A Miracle Eight Days Later
Eight days after the storm, the unimaginable happened—Blanco reappeared. Jonathon spotted a white cat in the hills, and though the cat was cautious, it responded when called. After some coaxing with cat food, Nan was able to lure Blanco down. When she finally reached him, he closed his eyes and purred, just like the first day the family had met him.
Elated, Jonathon and Nan quickly called Camille and David, who rushed back to the property for a joyful reunion. Blanco, the cat they thought they had lost, was back and quickly returned to his old ways—following the family, rubbing noses with their dog, Dora, and asking for gentle pets.
Rebuilding Hope and a Future
Though the Collins family faces a long road ahead as they rebuild their farm and homes, they are deeply grateful that everyone, including Blanco, survived. “All of us made it out alive, and we want to continue our dream of building our family farm,” Collins said. Despite the wreckage, Blanco insists on staying near the remnants of their farm, offering the family a glimmer of hope as they begin to rebuild their lives together.
In the face of unimaginable loss, Blanco’s return serves as a reminder of resilience, love, and the unbreakable bond between humans and their pets.