‘I just need closure’: Responders continue search for missing father in East Tennessee

JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WKRN) — One of the many people still unaccounted for in East Tennessee is a father of two and a husband of more than three decades.

His dog and his car were found miles from their family home. The man's wife, Keli Cloyd, told News 2 that she still holds onto hope.

"Whatever that final result's going to be, I just need closure," Keli said.

She hopes that her husband of thirty-six years, Steve Cloyd, is still alive. On Friday afternoon, a flash flood swept through their Jonesborough home while Keli was at work.

"He kept periodically sending me videos of how close the water was getting to the house," Keli added. "Then he did call me at one point and he told me he loved me and he felt it was the end."

Keli said that Steve got into their Jeep to leave with their beloved pup, Orian. The SUV wouldn't start and his cell phone battery was fading fast.

"The fear in his voice — I, in 36 years, have never heard that fear before. He does, at one point, tell me, 'This isn't good,'" Keli said. "And my last text from him was at 2:48 p.m."

Keli called 911 because it was all that she could do with the rising flood waters. The family dog was found three miles away from where the family home had been. She added that first responders are still desperately searching the area for Steve.

"She's our miracle dog," Keli said. "I know my husband. He would not have let anything happen to this dog. He loves her as much as I love her and it's hard not to with a sweet little soul like that."

During all this, Keli can't even be in the comfort of her own home. It was destroyed in the flood.

"I feel heartwarmed, but I feel gutwrenched," Keli said. "I do feel like somebody punched me."

She called it a nightmare that she wants to wake up from.