Date: September 17, 2026
Source: CNN / Associated Press
Topic: Hurricane Helene, Tennessee, Missing Victim
The remains of Nancy Tucker, 76, the final person still missing in Tennessee after Hurricane Helene devastated the region in 2024, have been found nearly two years after the catastrophic flooding.
Tucker disappeared on September 27, 2024, when flooding from the Nolichucky River destroyed her home in rural Washington County, Tennessee. Her husband, Jimmy Tucker, also died in the disaster, but his body was recovered within days. Nancy’s remains were not located until September 2026.
Search teams eventually narrowed the search to Jackson Island in the Cherokee National Forest. Since February, crews had walked more than 400 miles through difficult terrain while looking for evidence. Large debris piles—some reaching about 40 feet high and containing trees, vehicles and propane tanks—made the search particularly difficult.
The search was also complicated by the fact that the area is federal land and was believed to contain Native American burial sites. Local authorities could not immediately use heavy equipment to clear the debris and had to wait for federal approval and a removal contract.
Nancy’s remains were discovered on September 12, only four days after the debris-removal operation began. The remains were recovered over the following days, and a medical examiner officially confirmed her identity on Monday.
For the family and search teams, the discovery brought an emotional conclusion to a two-year search. Family spokesperson Risa Buck said the promise to bring Nancy home had finally become reality, allowing her to be laid to rest with her husband.
Hurricane Helene killed more than 250 people across the southeastern United States and caused an estimated nearly $80 billion in damage. The storm produced extreme flooding across the Appalachian region, sweeping away homes, vehicles, trees and debris.
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Date: September 17, 2026
Source: CNN / Associated Press
Topic: Hurricane Helene, Tennessee, Missing Victim
