North Carolina Family Watches In Disbelief As Their Cat Drifts Across The Yard On The Roof

When a hurricane struck Western North Carolina, the aftermath was devastating. Floodwaters swept through communities, families were forced to evacuate, and entire neighborhoods were left facing sudden loss.

For the Collins family, the impact was especially painful. Their home was destroyed, most of their belongings were gone, and the hardest part of all was watching their beloved cat, Blanco, get carried away by the rising water.

Blanco had not always been part of their family. Just a few months earlier, he had been a stray, quietly searching for a place where he could feel safe and loved.

Camille and David Collins first found Blanco hiding in their compost bin. They instantly fell for this sweet little guy, and before long, their family grew from eight to nine.

Blanco fit right in with life on their farm. He roamed freely among the five RVs parked on their land and made his rounds to visit each family member throughout the day, always checking in.

Then, everything shifted. A hurricane struck suddenly, growing stronger far faster than anyone expected.

Within hours, their peaceful farm was overtaken by the storm. Floodwaters surged quickly, turning their land into a chaotic scene of destruction.

At the time, only David’s mother Nan and his brother Jonathon were home, scrambling to move what they could to safety. But Blanco was nowhere to be found.

Suddenly, a flash of white caught their eyes. Blanco was perched on the roof of an RV, watching the water rise around him.

Before they could do anything, the RV broke loose and was swept away by the flood, like a toy drifting down a furious river.

Blanco held on desperately as it crashed into their neighbor’s house. But he lost his grip and disappeared beneath the water.

Jonathon raced toward the flood, desperate to catch sight of Blanco, but downed power lines blocked his way. Helpless, he could only watch as the flood carried Blanco out of sight.

Days passed as the family focused on trying to salvage what was left of their home. Then, eight days later, something unbelievable happened.

Jonathon spotted something moving through the debris. At first, he thought he must be imagining it, until he heard the unmistakable meow. Blanco was alive.

The little cat stood frozen on the roof of their ruined barn, unsure what to do next. Nan brought some treats and spent an hour coaxing him closer.

Slowly, Blanco inched forward and finally jumped down. Camille later shared in an interview:

“He eventually came to the roof of our barn wreckage, and once Nan was able to pet him, he closed his eyes and purred as if it was his first time being pet.”

Camille and David rushed back to the farm with their kids, and Blanco welcomed them with the same warmth and love as if he’d never left.

Even though rebuilding the farm will take time and the marks of the storm are still all around, one thing stands strong: the flood may have taken so much, but it couldn’t take their hope.

Blanco is safe, back where he belongs, and for the Collins family, that is more than enough to keep pressing forward.