What started as a typical good night took a tragic turn for the Taylors. They blew kisses to one another, unaware that by morning, they would be faced with heartbreaking news.
A brother and his sister were among more than two dozen Georgians who lost their lives in a devastating storm. This tragic event has left a profound impact on the community, as families grapple with the heartbreaking loss of loved ones.
The Taylors’ night on September 26, 2024, began peacefully as much as the family was aware that Hurricane Helene was approaching eastern Middle Georgia. Still, they were uncertain about where it would hit and the extent of its impact far inland.
Therefore, they were enjoying quality time as the children relaxed with their parents. Crystal Taylor, 34, curled up on the living room couch with her oldest child, 11-year-old Cassidy, as they drifted off to sleep.
The two had been watching “Beat Bobby Flay,” a cooking show, while Crystal kept an eye on the weather updates on her phone. Meanwhile, her husband, Herbert Taylor, 39, was asleep in their bedroom with their two other kids, Harmony, 7, and Derrick, 4.
As midnight passed, the ferocious storm swept through the countryside, moving from Valdosta toward Augusta and crossing the area’s rivers, the Ocmulgee and Oconee.
Ultimately, the city of Sandersville, with a population of about 5,500 and located at the center of a triangle formed by Macon, Statesboro, and Augusta, found itself directly in the storm’s path.
At around 4:00 a.m., Crystal’s mother called to check in, asking if their trees were still standing. Crystal assured her that they were, although the wind had intensified significantly. In the backyard loomed a massive oak, its trunk as wide as a tractor tire.
The tree’s expansive canopy provided shade to the entire backyard and much of the house on sunny days, and it remained upright. But as the winds began to strengthen, Herbert, a heavy equipment operator, went to peek outside and saw the cover of his truck lift into the air.
He turned to head down the hallway toward his bedroom, where his two youngest children were sleeping. Before he could reach them, the house suddenly exploded.
The enormous oak tree fell onto the bed where Derrick and Harmony were sleeping. Herbert cried out, “My babies,” as the impact ignited an electrical fire. Meanwhile, Crystal and Cassidy dashed to a neighbor’s house for safety.
Cassidy was tearful but maintained her composure as she called 911. Giving their home’s address, she said, “A tree fell on top of our house. My 4-year-old brother and my 7-year-old sister are in it. The house is on fire.”
The storm continued to howl as rescuers arrived at the Taylor residence on South Hospital Road. They managed to extinguish the flames, but the massive oak tree obstructed access to Derrick and Harmony, leaving them trapped.
Crystal sobbed, “I can’t get to my babies.” Fearful that calling their names might provoke them to cry out while she was helpless to save them, she struggled to stay calm. Hours dragged on, and it took more than five hours for the crew to saw through the tree and reach the children.
As time passed with no sign of her kids, Crystal, a pre-K teacher at Ridge Road Primary, reassured herself, “My babies are going to come out. They’ll be alright.”
She pictured Derrick asking for his favorite snack, cookies, and graham crackers, while Harmony would come looking for the special boiled white potatoes her cherished “papa,” made for her.
Sadly, this future was cut short. The Taylors believe Derrick and Harmony passed away instantly. Now, the family is grieving their loss and appreciates the public’s prayers and support.
Herbert wrote on Facebook on September 28, 2024, “I wanna thank everybody for the calls txt and all the luv and prayers we been getting it really means a lot to us at this difficult time much luv to yall.”
On September 30, 2024, Crystal also spoke out, “Hello everyone, I wanted to reach out to everyone and say that nothing has went unnoticed and me and my family appreciate all the love that has been shown to us during this time.”
The Taylors have also been receiving financial support from well-wishers via Herbert’s cash app $Rick4715. A GoFundMe page organized by Brittany Price and Jenna Barefield on behalf of the family is also running. It has raised over $55,000 of its $100,000 goal at the time of writing.
The page reads, “Please consider giving to help the family during this incredible loss with funeral expenses as well as finding new housing and everyday expenses. They also have their oldest daughter to care for.”
With more than 900 donations received, the Taylors are deeply thankful for the outpouring of financial support, prayers, and kind gestures from their community.
The Taylors and other families are grieving as they try to reestablish their lives. As we previously reported, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, many lives have been lost, including that of a little boy and his grandparents. The late child’s aunt detailed what happened via a lengthy post she shared online.
CBS News recently reported that Hurricane Helene had claimed the lives of at least 135 people. Of all the states that were impacted by the storm, the Carolinas are said to have experienced the worst of the hurricane’s damage, as over 80 civilians had been found dead there, according to officials.
Hurricane Helene’s aftermath continues to devastate various states across the US, despite the locations having done what they could do to combat the worst of the storm’s effects.