North Carolina Woman Uncovers Lost iPhone Seven Months After Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

North Carolina Woman Uncovers Lost iPhone Seven Months After Hurricane Helene’s Devastation

Almost a year after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in North Carolina, Kylie Landolfi made an unexpected find amid the debris of her home. The 22-year-old discovered her lost iPhone buried in the rubble near the ruins of her rental property in Bat Cave.

Landolfi had been living in the mountain rental with her boyfriend, Andrew, 23, when the storm caused a landslide in September 2024. The couple’s home was violently displaced from its foundation, forcing them to evacuate with their three pets, as reported by news agency SWNS.

Remarkably, they escaped just moments before an additional landslide struck the area, exacerbating the chaos of the already harrowing situation. “We escaped the rubble just seconds before a second landslide hit,” Landolfi recalled, emphasizing the urgency of their narrow escape.

With no shoes, phones, or supplies, they found themselves vulnerable, exposed to falling debris and dirt. Fortunately, both survived with only minor injuries, according to SWNS.

A Race Against Time

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, Landolfi and Andrew assisted their injured neighbors, with one neighbor suffering from a punctured lung and a family of four trapped near the slide zone. This included a mother with a shattered ankle and a child with a broken leg. “We cared for an injured neighbor and helped rescue a family of four trapped near the slide zone,” Landolfi said, reflecting on their efforts as they waited for firefighters to arrive.

For 27 hours, they took shelter in a nearby home, employing teamwork and instinct to stay safe while caring for those in dire need.

A Long-Awaited Return

Despite returning to the site several times, Landolfi had been unable to recover any of her belongings. In April 2025, Bat Cave Disaster Relief assisted her in accessing the area for another search. It was during this search that she made an astonishing discovery.

As she sifted through the rubble, Landolfi uncovered her iPhone, remarkably dusty yet seemingly intact. “While digging through rubble, I found my iPhone dusty but seemingly intact,” she said, recalling her astonishment at the find.

The couple had lost almost every photograph of their beloved pets and their treasured home during the chaos. The phone’s sudden reappearance felt nothing short of miraculous to Landolfi. “The phone’s discovery felt like a miracle … I could not believe it,” she exclaimed.

Surviving Against All Odds

The phone appeared to have weathered the elements, surviving harsh outdoor conditions and two separate landslides over the course of seven months. “It even took me a second to realize how crazy it was to be holding my phone that survived two landslides and seven months outside,” Landolfi recalled.

Landolfi and Andrew had already come to terms with the loss of the contents on their devices. Their cherished memories, including countless images of their pets, were at stake. “For those wondering, no, we had not updated our iCloud storage,” Landolfi shared. The couple’s backup hard drive had been with their phones, and losing their home meant losing their source of backup as well.

The Value of Memories

The emotional weight of their experiences culminated in the rediscovery of their phone, which held countless memories they believed were lost forever. Despite the uncertainty surrounding their recovery, Landolfi finds comfort in knowing they did not lose everything.

Their story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of natural disasters. As they work to rebuild, the couple holds on to hope and the memories that have survived against all odds.

A Journey of Resilience and Hope

Landolfi’s journey since the storm has been one of resilience, not only in her own life but also helping others in her community. The couple has emerged from this ordeal not just as survivors but as individuals reminded of the fragility and importance of life and memories. Their story encourages us all to cherish our belongings and the moments we capture, as we never know when they might be taken from us.

As they move forward, Landolfi and Andrew continue to reflect on their experiences, holding tight to the memories they cherish. The return of her iPhone has renewed hopes for recapturing precious moments, transforming a tale of loss into one of unexpected recovery.