DLNews Hurricane Helene:

Thomson, Georgia – Hurricane Helene, one of the deadliest storms in recent U.S. history, claimed the lives of twin four-week-old boys, Khazmir and Khyzer, along with their mother, 27-year-old Kobe Williams. As the hurricane unleashed its devastating winds across the southern United States, Kobe’s father, Obie Williams, could only listen helplessly over the phone as his daughter and grandchildren faced the brunt of the storm.

Kobe Williams (27) and her one-month-old twins Khazmir and Khyzier were killed by a tree.

“They were so frightened,” Obie recalled, his voice filled with anguish. “Since the day they were born, I saw pictures of them every day. But I never managed to drive out and meet them. Now, I will never meet my grandchildren.” Obie lives just 40 kilometers away in Augusta but was unable to reach his daughter due to the hurricane’s destructive path.

Kobe, who resided in a mobile home in Thomson, Georgia, with her newborn twins, had been unable to evacuate despite warnings. “I can’t leave with the babies,” she had told her family, unable to abandon her home in time. Tragically, her worst fears came true.

In Asheville, North Carolina, a flood caused by "Helene" from the Swannanoa River swept away trucks weighing several tons and railway tracks from the ground.

In a heartbreaking act of maternal instinct, Kobe threw herself over her sons in a desperate attempt to protect them as a massive tree, toppled by Helene’s violent winds, crashed through their home. Her brother fought his way through the devastation to reach her, but it was too late. The twins and their mother were found beneath the wreckage. Their story of love and loss has quickly become a symbol of the storm’s human toll.

Lake Lure in North Carolina is covered in rubble. Many houses built using lightweight wooden construction were literally torn apart by Hurricane "Helene"

Hurricane Helene: A Catastrophic Force

Hurricane Helene, which made landfall on Florida’s coast on September 26, has since left a trail of destruction across the southeastern United States, affecting millions in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, and the Carolinas. With wind speeds reaching up to 225 km/h, it quickly became the deadliest storm in the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina, which claimed 1,836 lives in 2005.

As of Friday, the death toll from Helene stands at 213, with hundreds still missing. The storm has caused an estimated $110 billion in damages, and the full scale of its impact is yet to be realized. Authorities fear the final death toll could rise to as many as 600. President Joe Biden has mobilized 1,000 U.S. Army soldiers to support local National Guard efforts in the hardest-hit areas.

How You Can Help

The devastation left in Helene’s wake has triggered an outpouring of support from communities across the nation. Relief organizations are working tirelessly to provide aid to those affected, but they need your help.

Donations to the following organizations can make a real difference:

- American Red Cross: Provides emergency shelters, food, and health services to displaced families. Donate here: https://www.redcross.org

- Global Giving Hurricane Relief Fund: Focuses on both immediate relief and long-term rebuilding efforts. Contribute here: https://www.globalgiving.org

- United Way of Georgia: Directs funds to local relief efforts and provides resources for families like the Williamses. Support here: https://www.unitedway.org/#

For those in nearby communities, donating essentials like water, food, and clothing or volunteering with local shelters can help alleviate the burdens faced by survivors. In a time of such unprecedented crisis, acts of kindness can bring light to even the darkest moments.

As the country rallies around those affected by Hurricane Helene, the memories of Khazmir, Khyzer, and Kobe Williams remain a poignant reminder of the storm’s human cost. Their loss has shaken the Thomson community and touched the hearts of many across the nation, offering a powerful call to action: to protect, to serve, and to help rebuild.