In the NC mountains, a narrow escape from Hurricane Helene's fury occurred as a mudslide almost hit a car.

While traveling home through the North Carolina mountains, a Virginia couple narrowly escaped the wrath of Hurricane Helene.

On "The Faulkner Focus" Thursday, Alan and Kelly Keffer recounted their narrow escape from a mudslide on the interstate in Black Mountain, N.C.

Alan told Harris Faulkner that when he looked out the window, the mountain, trees, and rocks were all descending.

As the earth wall bulldozed down onto the highway, Kelly said, "I glanced back in the car and noticed the mud on the door. I kept looking back and saw that the glass was shattered."

Last Thursday, Hurricane Helene hit the coast as a Category 4 storm and swiftly moved towards the Carolinas. The storm caused unprecedented flooding and landslides in the western North Carolina region over the weekend.

On their way back from vacation, the Keffers found themselves in the midst of Helene's fury.

"We anticipated only a small amount of rain and wind, but it would still be manageable. However, upon reaching I-40, we were shocked to see trees falling and highways closing due to severe weather conditions," Alan stated.

Due to heavy rainfall, he only drove around 35 miles per hour with the pair.

"As soon as I saw it, I instinctively pressed the accelerator and my initial thought was, 'I hope this won't hurt.' Three seconds later, it ended," Alan stated.

"I was terrified because I couldn't see what was happening. All I could hear was everything hitting the car, which sounded like big rocks. I thought the roof was going to cave in. We're incredibly fortunate to have made it through and for everyone else who survived. We're deeply grateful for that," Kelly stated.

Kelly added there were no major injuries caused by the specific mudslide.

At least 200 people have died from the hurricane, and the death toll is expected to increase in the coming weeks as rescue and recovery efforts continue.

On Monday, Western North Carolina received assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) following Gov. Roy Cooper's announcement that President Biden had approved federal resources.

Since the worst of the storm on Friday morning, officials and volunteer rescue organizations, including Samaritan's Purse and Cajun Navy 2016, have been working to send personnel and supplies up the damaged mountain roads in western North Carolina.

In addition to the areas affected by the storm, rescue teams have been dispatched to parts of eastern Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Florida.

"We can't fathom the difficulties they're facing. Although we emerged unscathed, many others did not. We continue to pray for their safety as rescue teams and supplies are being sent to the affected areas," Kelly stated.

The number of deaths caused by Helene in North Carolina and Tennessee is not yet known as authorities are still working to contact families and gather information, but the lack of cellphone and data roaming service is making this process challenging.

Planet Chronicle' Stephen Sorace and Audrey Conklin contributed to this report.