Searching for Memories After the Flood
Just four days after witnessing their home being swept away by the raging waters of the Swannanoa River, Tommy and Mary Moss, along with their son Dallas, returned to their neighborhood in Asheville, North Carolina. Their mission was to sift through the mud-caked remnants of what was once their cherished home.
As soon as they arrived, Dallas Moss donned his boots, driven by an unwavering determination to dig down to the foundation. He meticulously turned over the remnants of their hardwood flooring, never voicing the one thing they all longed to find: the precious photographs and mementos of his older brother, who had tragically passed away as a child due to a rare genetic disorder.
Despite their efforts over the next 10 days, the family emerged from the debris with little to show for their hard work. They salvaged only a few sentimental items—a beloved figure of Pumba from “The Lion King” and a photo album from a cherished baseball tournament. The floodwaters unleashed by Hurricane Helene had mercilessly washed away generations of family photographs, beloved childhood artwork, and toys that had filled their home for more than 40 years.
“I truly believed I would be able to find something,” Dallas, now 27, reflected on the daunting task. “We knew what we were searching for, but we never spoke it aloud. The whole experience felt utterly defeating.”
Mary Moss harbored an overwhelming sense of loss, believing that nearly all traces of her son, Tommy James Moss, had been swept away along with their home.
- The Mosses lived on Driftwood Court, a peaceful, flat street adjacent to the river, which had always served as the perfect playground for children riding their bikes.
- As they sifted through the remnants, each piece of debris was a reminder of the life they once knew.
