Clarence Holmes

Mountain News is told the search for missing 32-year-old Clarence Holmes is now a recovery search.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The search for a missing man at Laurel River Lake is still in full swing nearly 48 hours later.

Search and rescue teams along with emergency management are pulling together with help from the boater's family.

It has been an active search both on land and water for 32-year-old Clarence Holmes, who was last seen on Laurel River Lake in his pontoon boat.

"He was trying to get back to the marina. I guess to make sure the house boat was okay and make sure everything was anchored down here," said Dena Newcomb, Holmes' aunt.

Officials say Holmes' boat was found washed ashore on this island still idling just one mile from Holly Bay Marina.

A nasty storm is what officials say they suspect probably set Holmes off course.

"At this point, we do believe that Mr. Holmes was caught in the storm. We think that we may have been on his way back to Holly Bay from a house boat that was set up near Marsh Branch," said Kimberly Morgan, who works with the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Search and rescue crews have been on the water for nearly two days searching a 400 acre portion of the lake.

"A lot of forest is still under water at this point, so that's some of the obstacles divers and cameramen are going to face," said Morgan.

For now, no traces of Holmes have been found in or near the waters he knew so well.

"He loved the lake. It was his favorite place. Absolute favorite," said Newcomb.

The rescue effort includes help from Laurel and Pulaski County officials as well as the Daniel Boone National Forest.