The devastating Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, has left a trail of destruction in the southeastern United States, with over 110 confirmed fatalities across at least six states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.
Authorities fear the death toll may rise—previously standing at 89—as many individuals remain unaccounted for, possibly unable to evacuate or contact their families due to the destruction of communication infrastructure in several areas.
According to The New York Times, most of the victims died from drowning, falling trees, traffic accidents caused by heavy rains, and a tornado spawned by the storm. The deceased include people of all ages, such as a 70-year-old woman repairing nuclear cooling towers, a Florida resident who had helped his community recover from Hurricane Ian in 2022, and a newly arrived electrical worker in South Carolina.
Rescue Efforts Continue Amidst Devastation
The death toll might climb as rescue teams reach more remote areas, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains, where floods and landslides have wiped out entire communities. Authorities are working tirelessly to identify many of the victims and restore normalcy in the affected regions.
According to CNN, hundreds of roads remain closed, especially in the Carolinas, complicating the delivery of urgent supplies. Additionally, more than two million customers are still without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
Federal Response and Aid
President Joe Biden plans to visit some of the affected communities later this week, "as soon as it does not disrupt emergency response operations," the White House reported. On Saturday, Biden described the devastation caused by Helene as "overwhelming" and committed to sending aid.
As reported by AP and NBC News, the president has approved a major disaster declaration for Florida to provide assistance to areas ravaged by Hurricane Helene, according to a press release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Residents in 17 Florida counties, including Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Manatee, will be eligible for grants for temporary housing or home repairs and loans for uninsured property, the agency said. Biden also approved a disaster declaration for North Carolina, making federal funds available to those affected.
Condolences and Recovery Efforts
Presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have expressed their condolences to those affected by the hurricane and are receiving updates on the recovery efforts.
Helene is the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1 and ends on November 30. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted an increase in atmospheric phenomena this year due to record ocean temperatures.