Wedding venue accused of allowing animals to drown in Hurricane Helene

A wedding venue has been accused of leaving its farm animals to drown during flooding caused by Hurricane Helene after a viral video showed a wedding party desperately trying to save the animals.

The allegations were shared online by wedding guest Kelsey McDonnell, who posted a video to the social media site TikTok on her kelseytmcd account. She claimed the venue in Swannanoa, near Asheville, North Carolina, left horses, goats and a donkey in the flood's path and then refused to help them.

The record-breaking flooding was already up to the animals' necks when guests found them, McDonnell said. Staff told the group to “let the animals die,” she claimed. However, the group reportedly insisted on saving their lives and were able to save everyone except the donkey, who could not be reached and is now feared to have drowned due to exhaustion after struggling to swim for hours.

McDonnell's video has been viewed more than 5 million times. The bride and groom will “use all donations from their registry to help with the rescue and relief efforts,” she said.

McDonnell didn't name the venue in her video, but it was later claimed to have been identified as “Hidden River Events” by various social media users who claimed to know the website – and the company is now facing criticism online. Newsweek could not independently verify the allegations but has reached out to Hidden River Events via email seeking comment. It was outside normal working hours, meaning an immediate response was not expected, and an automated email explained that communication was difficult due to power outages caused by the hurricane.

Photos on the venue's website appear to resemble the location in the footage shared by McDonnell, and the site describes itself online as a farm in a valley “next to the Swannanoa River.” Much of the website speaks of the value of kindness and boasts that “our business is more value driven than profit driven.” It goes on to say, “We want everyone who works with us at Hidden River to make a decent living, not kill .”

When McDonnell shared the footage on TikTok on Monday, she wrote: “Swannanoa wedding venue told us to let their animals die instead of letting them out of their areas. We couldn't watch as eight farm animals drowned or were washed away by debris.

“We had to use a chainsaw to get the goats out of their stall. The water was already over their backs and rising quickly.”

“The groom and bride’s cousin then waded out into chest-deep water to break through the fence and let the horses out. Unfortunately, the little donkey didn’t make it after watching him swim for his life for over two hours.”

Their video showed a man wading chest-deep toward the animals trapped behind the fences. Three horses then managed to get ashore and climb to the shore while guests encouraged the animals.

“Light up!” they called.

Another shot shows the horses eating a bale of hay, while another section of the video shows goats running around the party.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to save one of the animals, a donkey named JJ,” the video’s caption reads.

The unnamed venue was criticized on social media.

A Reddit user who said he was planning his own wedding urged other brides and grooms to avoid the venue.

“I completely understand prioritizing human life over animal life and not risking life in deep floodwater, but the owners of the property didn't even release the animals to give them a chance of survival, they simply kept them locked in barns to survive “We could drown due to the impending rise in water levels,” they wrote.

“The groom and bride’s cousins ​​waded into the water to rescue the animals and they were able to save all but one. I personally wanted to book this venue for my wedding but can no longer do so in good conscience. Just wanted to post this for people who may want to book this venue in the future.

Hidden River Events' Facebook page appears to be offline and the “Contact Us” section of the website appears to be unavailable.

But an automated email from owner Jeanne Sommer was received by Newsweek When contacted, the venue states: “As you probably know, Western North Carolina has suffered devastating losses due to Helene. Unfortunately, Hidden River is included in this loss. I didn't have a phone or internet connection, nor was I able to drive one.” Location with access until now. Thank you for your patience in hearing from me.

“Please continue to be patient with us as we assess the situation. Losses of life, property and animals occurred throughout the Swannanoa Valley. No one had any idea how much devastation had taken place in our region.” . Across Western North Carolina, people continue to be cut off from contact with their loved ones.”

She said she was still trying to “figure it all out,” adding, “As soon as we have answers for you, we will be in touch.”