Three cows presumed dead after being swept away by Hurricane Dorian are found alive months later

Three cows swept off an island of North Carolina during the raging storm of Hurricane Dorian have been found alive months later, after reportedly swimming for several miles.

They were grazing on their home of Cedar Island when the severe weather hit, sweeping away wildlife from the island’s herd on September 6.

The cows were presumed dead after they were not seen after a “mini tsunami” generated by Dorian struck. But they have now been found alive, with park officials saying they believe the three animals swam up to five miles to make it to the Outer Banks barrier islands.

Cape Lookout Park spokesman BG Horvat said the cows were lucky not to have been swept out into the Atlantic, which happened to some wild horses caught in the storm.

“I’ll say it’s about four miles across Core Sound,” Mr Horvat told McClatchy news service. “Remember, the cows and all the horses were swept away with the water surging back. Who knows exactly, but the cows certainly have a gripping story to share.”

Authorities are now working on a plan to recover the animals.

Hurricane Dorian made landfall on North Carolina's Outer Banks in as a Category One storm, lashing the state with heavy rains, winds and flooding. It later hit the Bahamas, where dozens of people in its path were killed.