Hurricane Helene has resulted in nearly 100 deaths across six states, with significant flooding isolating communities, particularly in North Carolina. Over 2 million homes are without power, with South Carolina the most affected. The search for missing individuals continues amid ongoing recovery efforts.
The devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene has led to a tragic loss of life, with nearly 100 fatalities reported across six states due to the significant destruction and severe flooding. As of Sunday evening, the Associated Press confirmed the death toll stands at 91, with hundreds of individuals still unaccounted for. Notably, Buncombe County in North Carolina experienced at least 30 fatalities, especially as the city of Asheville became isolated following historic flooding. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper characterized the situation as an “unprecedented tragedy,” noting that numerous individuals remain cut off from rescue efforts due to impassable roads caused by floods and landslides. In addition to the toll in North Carolina, 17 storm-related fatalities were noted in Georgia and 25 in South Carolina as of the same evening. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has also left over 2 million homes and businesses without power as of early Monday morning. South Carolina is most severely impacted, with upwards of 755,000 customers lacking electricity, followed closely by Georgia and North Carolina with over 580,000 and 458,000 outages, respectively. Furthermore, significant power disruptions have affected more than 133,000 customers in Florida and an additional 100,000 customers in Virginia. Despite the storm’s dissipation, the National Weather Service has issued warnings for the possibility of excess rainfall in the already saturated Central Appalachians, raising concerns of localized flash flooding in vulnerable urban and low-lying areas. Authorities reported a decline in the number of missing persons; officials in Buncombe County stated that approximately 600 individuals were reported missing, a decrease from a previous count of 1,000. In Tennessee, about 153 individuals remained unaccounted for. Officials surmise that many of these missing persons may be safe but have not been reachable due to power outages and poor cellphone service. In related developments, former President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Valdosta, Georgia on Monday to assess the situation and aid in the distribution of relief supplies. Trump’s campaign noted that he would address the ongoing response efforts and has publicly criticized the administration of President Joe Biden regarding the handling of the hurricane. Vice President Kamala Harris also commented on the hurricane’s impact during a rally in Las Vegas, acknowledging her receipt of a briefing from FEMA. The White House has indicated that both Biden and Harris plan to visit affected areas once it is feasible without hindering emergency operations.
Hurricane Helene has inflicted wide-ranging destruction across various states, particularly in the Southeastern United States. This storm, which brought catastrophic flooding and strong winds, has impacted numerous communities, causing loss of life and extensive property damage. With emergency services actively engaged in recovery operations, the full scale of the disaster is still being assessed. The significant power outages and the number of missing individuals underscore the ongoing challenges faced by local authorities.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene is marked by tragic loss of life and widespread destruction, leaving communities grappling with recovery and rescue efforts. With the number of fatalities approaching 100 across affected states and millions left without power, the situation remains critical. Authorities continue to work tirelessly to locate missing individuals and restore essential services. Both federal and local leaders are committed to addressing the pressing needs of communities devastated by this disaster.
Original Source: www.forbes.com
