Navy veteran Bruce Tipton clung to a tree for seven hours before being swept away by floodwaters from Hurricane Helene. His niece tearfully recounted his legacy and the devastating loss.
In the wake of the catastrophic flooding brought by Hurricane Helene, the community mourns the loss of beloved Navy veteran Bruce Tipton, 75, who was tragically swept away after clinging to a tree for seven grueling hours. As floodwaters inundated his trailer home in Marshall, North Carolina, Tipton's cries for help pierced the night, but relentless waters thwarted the efforts of family and neighbors to reach him.
Tipton's niece, Annie Meadows, spoke with "Fox & Friends First" with tears streaming down her face, paying tribute to her uncle's unwavering kindness and generosity. "Everybody knew him in the community," she said. "He'd give you the shirt off his back. He was lovable. He would do anything for anybody that he could. He was a father, a grandfather, uncle, a brother and a friend to everybody here."
Bruce Tipton, Navy Veteran Clutches Tree for Hours Before Being Swept Away by Helene Flooding
Tipton's desperate struggle for survival began when his trailer succumbed to the rampaging waters of the French Broad River. Neighbor Scott Eastman, who was among those trying to reach him, was haunted by the chilling memories of hearing Tipton's cries for help. "To hear somebody yelling 'Help!' for hours and to not be able to get to him? It's just sickening to me," he said, according to The New York Times.
Despite the valiant efforts of rescuers, time was running out for Tipton. After seven long hours of clinging to the tree, the relentless floodwaters proved too powerful, carrying him away in a cruel twist of fate. Meadows recalled the harrowing moment when they realized Tipton's trailer had broken from its moorings, fearing the worst.
Bruce Tipton, Navy Veteran Clutches Tree for Hours Before Being Swept Away by Helene Flooding
"He never anticipated the weather to be like it was," Meadows said. "We all grew up on that same street. Nobody in this town in general expected it to ever be like this."
The devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene has left a trail of destruction and despair across several states, with at least 190 reported deaths. Communities have been submerged, infrastructure damaged, and essential supplies are scarce. In remote areas of Appalachia, isolated residents rely on unconventional methods of delivery, such as mule packers, to receive life-saving supplies.
Bruce Tipton, Navy Veteran Clutches Tree for Hours Before Being Swept Away by Helene Flooding
As search and rescue operations continue, families like the Tiptons mourn their loved ones and grapple with the unimaginable loss. Tipton's legacy as a devoted family man, a proud veteran, and a beacon of kindness will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew him.
