Couple Credits God After Surviving Hurricane On Couch
A North Carolina couple, Howard and Lisa Ray, expressed profound gratitude for surviving Hurricane Helene, which devastated their community and left them clinging to their faith. When the Category 4 storm made landfall, it caused widespread destruction across several states, including Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. As floodwaters surged into their Pensacola trailer, the Rays managed to stay afloat on their couch, using it as a makeshift raft that carried them to safety. They credit their survival to divine intervention and have shared their story to inspire resilience and faith in others.
As water filled their home, Lisa thought they might not make it. She described how, in a moment of fear, she felt compelled to sit on the couch, which then lifted them and floated out of the trailer. The couple held onto the couch as the floodwaters propelled them down the Cane River, with water levels soaring 25 to 30 feet above normal. Lisa recalled Howard’s comforting words, “If we’re going to drown, we’re going to drown together,” as they clung to the couch. After being carried about 400 yards, they managed to grab hold of a barbed wire fence, using it to pull themselves to safety, despite Lisa suffering cuts on her hand.
After taking refuge in a nearby garage, the Rays waited for the water to subside. Howard, a volunteer firefighter, later returned to Pensacola to help his community, even while dealing with his own losses. Lisa, hospitalized from her injuries, learned of a close friend’s death during the flood, intensifying the emotional toll of the disaster. Despite losing their home and vehicles, the couple has leaned on their faith, believing that God protected them for a reason, even if they are still uncertain of what that purpose might be.
Their church, Pleasant Valley Baptist, stepped in to support the couple by covering their stay at an Airbnb for the next year, allowing them a place to rebuild their lives. Amid the turmoil, the Rays were joyfully reunited with their dog, Saddi, who had waited near the spot where their home once stood. For Howard, the experience has reinforced his commitment to persevere, despite the losses, saying he is not one to “give up” even in difficult times.
Mitch Collier, a chaplain with the Cajun Navy 2016, has been part of the relief efforts in the area, providing spiritual and material support to those impacted by the storm. Collier noted the lack of a prompt federal response and emphasized the challenging conditions the community faces. However, he finds strength through his faith, which he believes has allowed him to witness the power of God working through these difficult circumstances, offering comfort and life-saving aid to those in need.