When floodwaters receded in western North Carolina, residents found a Bible stuck to a fence post with the Book of Revelation open. (Courtesy of longlegzrn0/TikTok and Project First Light)
OLD FORT, N.C. – As floodwaters from Helen receded in western North Carolina, residents discovered a Bible stuck to a fence post with the Book of Revelation open.
The Bible was found next to the home of Marine veteran Scotty Swan and his family in the town of Old Fort.
When Helen swept through the area, causing historic flooding, Swan became trapped on the roof of a house and had to be rescued on a raft.
During a post-flood cleanup at Swann’s home, a Bible was discovered nearby, with the pages turned to a section of the Bible that was particularly meaningful to the Swann family.
Front (left) and back (right) views of the Bible in its protective case.
(longlegzrn0/TikTok and Project First Light / FOX Weather)
Swan’s brother, who has not been named, spoke about the discovery in a TikTok video.
“This Bible was affixed to this fence post that was open to Revelation,” he said. “Of all the things that have been destroyed, it’s been left open and left there and we haven’t touched it.”
“So if that’s not the message, somebody needs to wake up,” he added.
Scars from Helen’s floods revealed in satellite images on spruce pine at Old Fort
After its discovery, a protective case made of plastic, wood, and cinder blocks was constructed around the Bible.
Front (left) and back (right) views of the Bible in its protective case.
(longlegzrn0/TikTok and Project First Light / FOX Weather)
Next, Joey Brown, a South Carolina man, brought a large cross made of cedar wood and placed it behind the boxed Bible.
“He said it was a gift to spread the word of God and let people know they are not alone in this hurricane and this hardship,” Swan’s brother said in the video. “So people’s reactions have been amazing.”
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When Helen hit western North Carolina in late September, it dumped about 30 inches of rain in three days, or almost four months’ worth of rain.
As of Wednesday, at least 103 people have lost their lives to Helen in North Carolina.
