Tragic news.

Hurricane Helena first hit the southeastern US on 24 September and caused widespread destruction over several days, particularly in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas.

Tragedy struck in North Carolina last week when a young family lost their lives after getting in a car and racing to escape the path of Hurricane Helene.

Alison Wisely, her fiancé Knox Petrucci and her two children, Felix, 9, and Lucas, 7, attempted to drive through the floodwaters in order to escape the area, but got stuck when their car began to float.

According to WRAL News, when all four got out of the car to try and go back to the house, they were swept away into the nearby Toe River.

Relatives revealed that the couple were due to be wed on 9 November.

They also disclosed that the family had made some preparations for the storm and were anticipating no more than minor flooding in the basement. They bought pallets and sandbags, confident that living in the mountains would protect them, as the region had never experienced such an extreme weather event.

To the shock of many in the area, Helene ripped through the region with savage force.

A statement posted to a GoFundMe page set up by relatives reads: "On Friday, September 27, the world lost four of the most beautiful souls to walk this Earth, during Hurricane Helene.

"Alison Wisely, children Felix (age 9), and Lucas (age 7), and fiance Knox Petrucci tried to evacuate from their home in Green Mountain, NC without success. This unspeakable tragedy has broken our hearts into a million pieces.

"At around noon on Friday during the storm, they attempted to flee their home by car. The car began to float. They got out and tried to return to their house, but a big wave came and swept them all into the Toe River. So far, Aly, Felix, and Lucas's bodies have been recovered. The search is still on for Knox and several agencies are working tirelessly to find him so that he can be put to rest with his family."

The statement continues: "The family lived in an idyllic setting next to the river in the North Carolina mountains where they created a life full of love, family, creativity, bees, chickens, cats, dogs, lizards, music, and magic.

"Brilliant and wise Alison, was a most loving mother to the boys she shared with Lance Wisely, their devoted dad. She encouraged her children to stretch their imaginations and nurtured their creative, loving, funny spirits. Aly worked as a Sanctuary Operations Manager at Carolina Memorial Sanctuary, gently guiding others through their times of grief.

"Knox was a local beekeeper, and manager at Honey & the Hive in Weaverville, gifted musician, songwriter, artist, and aspiring blacksmith. Along with being an advocate for the Earth and bees, Knox was always there for friends who were like family and inspired others in the way he moved through life with authenticity and boundless love and acceptance.

"Beloved, curious, precocious Felix wanted to know everything about the world. He delighted in all things magical and loved to talk about the unknown. He and his mother recently had a lot of fun producing Beyond Legends, a family-friendly podcast about cryptids, folklore, and the supernatural. He loved all the creatures of the Earth and beyond, even the ones others don’t believe in. He was fascinated by weather in general and tornadoes and hurricanes in particular.

"Sweet Lucas brightened his family and friend’s days with his humor, kindness, and caring nature. He loved exploring the outdoors and had an incredible imagination. Most often sporting superhero garb and all things sparkly, Lucas never failed to make the grown-ups in his life laugh. He gave the best cuddles and loved cows of every kind.

"As all can imagine the grief we are sharing as a family is unimaginable and it will be a long painful road to healing. This GoFundMe is to raise money to cover the costs of a fitting memorial and to support grieving family members and friends in their travels to the family's funeral services, and support friends and family who have been hard hit by Helene. We will be using any extra funds to memorialize Aly, Knox, Felix, and Lucas, celebrate their lives, as well as donating to local organizations that meant the world to their family, and those who are working tirelessly to assist those affected by this unspeakably, horrific climate tragedy.

"Aly and Knox were to be married in a small ceremony on November 9th. We are heartbroken to be coming together, instead, to mourn their passing."

So far, $65,794 has been raised in aid of Felix and Lucas' dad Lance Wisely.