BBC Gossip
  • Home
  • Health
  • News
  • Crime
  • Local News
  • People
  • Guest Post
BBC Gossip
BBC Gossip
  • Home
  • News
  • Health
  • People
  • Celebrities
  • Crime
  • Entertainment
  • Finance
  • Guest Post
Home She sees Hurricane Helene debris as more than just garbage, it holds precious memories – and she’s bringing them back
  • Local News

She sees Hurricane Helene debris as more than just garbage, it holds precious memories – and she’s bringing them back

    To her, Hurricane Helene debris isn’t trash. It is full of memories — and she’s returning them
    Up next
    Philippines shark attack: 2 tourists killed at popular diving spot
    Tragic Incident: Two Tourists Fatally Attacked by Sharks at a Popular Diving Destination in the Philippines
    Published on 28 February 2025
    Author
    BBC Gossip

    SWANNANOA, N.C. – The tops of dried, bent cornstalks crunch underfoot. Jill Holtz’s gaze is fixed on the ground ahead.

    She wanders into the nearby woods and weaves between twisted branches. Then, Holtz spots something and starts to riffle through the withered twigs. To the untrained eye, it’s easy to overlook. But for Holtz, it’s instantaneous recognition.

    Scraggly, white lines give the appearance of shattered glass, but a name can still be made out at the top. It is a sonogram strip — crinkled, abused by the elements, but intact.

    In early February, Holtz combed through parts of a flattened cornfield in Swannanoa, North Carolina — a rural area razed by fierce floodwaters from Hurricane Helene a few months earlier. The deluge swept away entire homes, and with it, people’s beloved photos, keepsakes and family heirlooms. Many have accepted that they are gone forever.

    But lost items remain scattered across the region — tangled in gnarled trees, washed up in deep ravines and buried under mud. That’s why Holtz is on a mission: find and reunite those cherished possessions with storm victims who don’t have the time or energy to look themselves.

    “It’s not just trash, and it’s not just trees and pieces of metal,” Holtz says. “It’s their lives. This is their hearts, their homes, the generations of history.”

    Searching the cornfield

    Over the past few months, Holtz has spent much of her free time making the nearly four-hour drive from Raleigh to Swannanoa to search for lost items. She balances her job as a North Carolina National Guard captain and being a mom to two sons — a 10-year-old and a 24-year-old. It’s difficult being away, Holtz says, but her kids support her efforts.

    Holtz first visited western North Carolina after the storm on duty delivering aid. Then, while helping retrieve lost objects in Swannanoa for Violet Vardiman — a woman Holtz fondly calls “Miss Violet” — Holtz realized how many other missing belongings were out there. So she kept coming back. Holtz posts her finds to Facebook in hopes of finding their owners.

    At first, searching for lost belongings was overwhelming because of the sheer volume of objects strewn about, Holtz says. Now, she looks a few feet ahead of her at a time to stay focused.

    She’s learned other tips and tricks too. Use larger pieces of debris to store missing keepsakes while walking. Put on a hat or your hair will get caught in tree branches. Wear gloves and sturdy boots. And if you see a Dallas Cowboys mat, stomp on it first before picking it up — Holtz, after all, is a Buffalo Bills fan.

    After exploring the cornfield and adjacent woods for about 20 minutes, Holtz already has a handful to bring back — an 8-track tape, a teddy bear with golden wings and plenty of photos. Despite some scratches and their sun-bleached tone, the photos are in decent shape for what they’ve been through.

    As Holtz walks back to her truck, she squints and scours the cornstalks for anything she missed. Holtz views each valuable she finds as an opportunity for joy, and if it’s left behind, there’s no guarantee it will be there next time.

    Holding onto belongings until the time is right

    What Holtz found in the cornfield will join the collection of other lost possessions in her trailer as she tries to find their owners. The spread inside resembles a garage sale.

    Photos make up a large chunk of Holtz’s collection. Pictures captured from weddings, school and simple slices of life. Just from collecting photos, Holtz says she feels like she knows some people’s entire life story without ever meeting them.

    To restore photos, she’s developed her own cleaning routine: Use cool water and rubbing alcohol, then carefully scrub with a soft toothbrush. It’s time-consuming, yet therapeutic.

    Holtz sets down a large mud-spattered canvas — a piece that will require the toothbrush treatment — and slowly pours water over it. The gentle stream crackles against the crisp canvas. Faces emerge from the splotchy, brown haze. It’s a family portrait, Holtz says.

    “I hope I find the owner of that,” she says softly.

    Since Holtz started posting pictures of the lost possessions on Facebook, she’s consistently in contact with about 15 families. She has returned belongings to some and is waiting to connect in-person with others. Some of the families have evacuated the state and haven’t returned — but Holtz doesn’t mind holding onto their things.

    “I’m in no hurry, and I don’t expect them to be in a hurry,” she says. “They’re still getting their lives back together.”

    ‘Getting back history’

    The next day, Holtz sets up her trailer by the cornfield. She had posted her location to social media and patiently waits to see if anyone comes. About a half hour later, a silver SUV pulls over. A woman from Swannanoa, Angie McGee, steps out.

    McGee is looking for lost photos. The 42-year-old searched for her family’s belongings after Helene washed away her home, but she wasn’t successful. Wearing black latex gloves, she rubs caked dirt from the photos and notices familiar faces: her brother, her father and her son.

    She even spots her ultrasound photos — the same scroll that Jill had picked up the day before.

    She is stunned. McGee can’t believe the photos traveled nearly 2 miles downriver from her home — much less that Holtz had somehow found them. After months of anguish over what she had lost, McGee says she is finally “getting history back.”

    “She done brought back a smile to me, she done brought back life to me. Not just me, my family,” McGee says. “Because, you know, there were things we lost that we thought maybe we never get back.”

    At one point, McGee’s gaze settles on football shoulder pads with silver marker writing. The sight brings her to tears. They belong to her 12-year-old son, Link.

    Holtz tries to not to cry. Later, the two women embrace before McGee leaves with her things. Giving people back their lost hope is why Holtz says she continues this work. But in these reunifying moments, it gives Holtz a little of her own hope, too.

    ___

    AP National Writer Allen G. Breed contributed to this report.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

    You May Also Like
    Fentanyl dealer busted near Colorado State Capitol sentenced to federal prison
    • Local News

    Federal Prison Sentence for Fentanyl Dealer Arrested in Close Proximity to Colorado State Capitol

    DENVER — The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Suspect accused of shooting, injuring 2 Mifflin Township police officers found, authorities say
    • Local News

    Authorities say they have located the suspect who allegedly shot and wounded two police officers in Mifflin Township.

    As the officers pursued a passenger, he reportedly turned and opened fire…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Elyria police investigate Sunday morning shooting
    • Local News

    1 Person Charged in Elyria After Fight Escalates to Shooting

    Levi Webb, a 26-year-old individual, was taken into custody following claims of…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Paris probes antisemitic vandalism targeting synagogues and a Holocaust memorial
    • Local News

    Paris investigating anti-Semitic vandalism against synagogues and Holocaust memorial

    PARIS – Authorities in Paris have launched an investigation after several Jewish…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Actor Valerie Mahaffey, 'Northern Exposure' Emmy winner, dies after cancer battle, publicist says
    • Local News

    Valerie Mahaffey, Emmy winner from ‘Northern Exposure,’ passes away after cancer fight, according to publicist.

    Her stage, film and television work ranged from Shakespeare to the hit…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    ‘He did nothing wrong:’ Family demands answers after Orange County deputies shoot, kill man
    • Local News

    “Family Seeks Answers: Orange County Deputies Shoot and Kill Man Despite No Wrongdoing”

    In Orange County, Florida, the family of a man who was shot…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    Takeaways from AP’s report on how federal public health cuts are affecting communities across the US
    • Local News

    Lessons Learned from AP’s Study on the Impact of Federal Public Health Budget Cuts on US Communities

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. – A wide range of individuals and programs focused on…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Afro Mexican actors fighting racism celebrate their heritage through their plays
    • Local News

    Celebrating Heritage: Afro Mexican Actors Combatting Racism through Theatre

    TICUMÁN – TICUMÁN, MéThere was something about her body, but Mexican actress…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    California track-and-field championships draw limited protest over trans student's participation
    • Local News

    Protest over participation of transgender student at California track-and-field championships is minimal

    CLOVIS, Calif. – An additional medal will be awarded at California’s high…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Adam Sandler steps back on the golf green in latest 'Happy Gilmore 2' trailer
    • Local News

    Adam Sandler returns to the golf course in the new preview for ‘Happy Gilmore 2’

    The sports comedy sequel will also feature many familiar faces from the…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    Akron police release bodycam video from incident where suspect fired at officers
    • Local News

    Police in Akron share bodycam footage from incident involving suspect shooting at officers

    Police say one officer suffered a ‘minor leg injury.’ A 27-year-old woman…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025
    Lorain County declared 'sanctuary jurisdiction' by Trump administration, putting federal funding at risk
    • Local News

    Trump administration designates Lorain County as a ‘sanctuary jurisdiction,’ jeopardizing federal funding

    The Department of Homeland Security listed Lorain County as one of a…
    • BBC Gossip
    • May 31, 2025

    Recent Posts

    • Possible break in unsolved case of ‘Budweiser Girl’ murder as suspect emerges
    • Elderly ex-Constable vindicated after wrongful arrest by UK Police for opinion-related charges
    • “Hamas Ready to Release Hostages in Efforts to Bring Peace to Gaza Conflict”
    • Celebrity from Weeds loses fight against lymphoma
    • Adam Sandler returns to the golf course in the new preview for ‘Happy Gilmore 2’
    Mystery of 'Budweiser Girl' murder could finally be solved as lurking suspect emerges from the shadows
    • US

    Possible break in unsolved case of ‘Budweiser Girl’ murder as suspect emerges

    Jessica Richardson discovered her mother, Cheryl Williams Frady, lifeless in the…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    Elderly Former Constable Gets Justice After Being Arrested by UK Police for Thought Crimes
    • US

    Elderly ex-Constable vindicated after wrongful arrest by UK Police for opinion-related charges

    In 2023, there was a notable case involving a man who was…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    Terror group Hamas claims it is ready to release hostages in a bid to end the war in Gaza
    • News

    “Hamas Ready to Release Hostages in Efforts to Bring Peace to Gaza Conflict”

    HAMAS has said that it is ready to release hostages in a…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    Weeds star dead after battle with lymphoma
    • US

    Celebrity from Weeds loses fight against lymphoma

    Weeds star Renee Victor has passed away at the age of 86…
    • BBC Gossip
    • June 1, 2025
    BBC Gossip
    • Home
    • Privacy Policy
    • News
    • Local News
    • Health
    • Crime
    • Guest Post