A sixth body has been found by teams searching flood debris in Haywood County, NC
Searchers have found a sixth body amid flood debris in North Carolina’s Haywood County, according to Haywood County Emergency Services.
The latest victim was identified as John Krolak of Cruso.
He was found Aug. 27, officials said. Details of the discovery were not released.
All six of the flood victims lived in the Cruso area, which saw catastrophic flooding Aug. 17 when remnants of Tropical Storm Fred crossed western North Carolina.
The other victims have been identified as: Frank Mungo, 86; Franklin McKenzie, 68; Judy Mason, 73; Charlene Mungo, 83, and Frank Lauer Sr., 74, officials said.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Mrs. Krolak and to all the families of those whose lives were lost during this tragic flooding,” Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher said in a release. “Our hearts grieve together for the lives, homes, and livelihoods lost in this disaster. Together we seek comfort and healing and hope for the future,” said Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher.
The flooding developed as the storm dumped 8 to 12 inches of rain in some mountain counties.
Rivers quickly rose over their banks into surrounding streets and neighborhoods, taking homes off their foundations and pushing vehicles along in the swift current. Many roads were washed out and as many as 15 bridges were damaged or destroyed, county officials reported.
Travis Donaldson, director of emergency services for Haywood County, reports the Cruso area was among the hardest hit parts of the region. Parts of the Cruso area remained without electricity Sunday, officials said.
“In places in Cruso there’s what I would call almost complete destruction. There’s areas of the community that don’t exist anymore,” he said at a news conference.
At least 500 families were displaced by the flooding in the county, McClatchy News reported last week. Many lived in mobile home parks that were washed away, officials say.
This story was originally published August 22, 2021 at 7:57 PM.