The southeastern United States has been battered by two major hurricanes in recent weeks, leaving many families displaced from their damaged homes and some separated from their pets.

One North Carolina family watched in heartbreak as their pet cat was swept away by massive flooding — but after thinking he was gone for good, they got a miracle.

The Collins family of Burnsville, North Carolina was one of the many hit badly by Hurricane Helene last month. Mass flooding overtook their home, and seemingly claimed the life of their beloved cat, Ricardo Blanco.

Owner Nan Collins watched in heartbreak as Blanco became trapped in the flood waters, unable to reach him. The cat helplessly tried to grab on wires before being swept away.

A week went by with no word on their missing cat, and they feared Blanco was gone for good. With power lines down and communication limited, it was hard to get the word out about him.

But 8 days later, Nan’s son heard a faint meowing near their home, looked down and discovered a miracle — it was Blanco, alive and returned home!

According to a release from Best Friends Animal Society, Blanco wasn’t hurt but his fur was so discolored from the elements that they almost didn’t recognize him. Blanco received care from the Best Friends Animal Society’s mobile veterinary clinic, dispatched to help animals throughout the storm-wrecked area.

“We were so lucky to be able to take him in (to the clinic),” Nan Collins says. “He has infection in both his eyes and ears, but other than that, he’s up to his old self.”

“Our family is all well, and our miracle cat is with me right now running around.”

She said that they gave him the unusual full name “Ricardo Blanco” because he reminded them of a “little movie actor.” “[He’s] so playful and full of life. He’s like a little puppy dog, always wanting to be beside you and take a walk.”

We can’t imagine the heartbreak this family must’ve went through thinking their beloved cat was killed in the hurricane, but it must’ve been such a relief to see Blanco home!

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