A North Carolina woman's family is bereft after she suffered a heart attack but couldn't get much-needed medical attention because of downed power lines and damaged roads left in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
A week after surviving the Category 4 storm, Shirley Rotolo's husband, Renato, woke up in his dark, powerless home to his wife having what he thought was a nightmare at 2 a.m. He quickly realized she was suffering a heart attack.
Rotolo then attempted to call 911, according to WRAL, but couldn't get cell phone service. By the time he returned to his wife, she was gone.
Rotolo then made the drive to a nearby hospital, avoiding fallen trees and damaged roads, but he was too late.
"They tried to save her, but there was nothing they could do, unfortunately," Rotolo told WRAL.
He believes the storm and its significant damage led to his wife's fatal medical emergency.
"It all really got to her," he shared.
Rotolo said he and his family will never be whole again, but they will fondly remember his wife, who was also a mother, teacher, writer, and artist.
"An angel," he said of his wife. "I don't think they make them like that anymore."
More than a week after Hurricane Helene devastated the Southeastern region of the US, thousands remain without power and over 200 people are dead.
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