Hurricane Helene has resulted in at least 189 deaths, making it the deadliest storm since Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane caused widespread destruction across several states, leaving 1.2 million customers without power. President Biden is deploying active-duty soldiers to assist recovery efforts and Congress is urged to convene to provide necessary relief.
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically increased to at least 189 confirmed fatalities, marking it as the deadliest storm to impact the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The devastation caused by Helene includes severe storm surges, extensive wind damage, and substantial inland flooding affecting multiple states such as Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, with neighborhoods submerged, residents stranded, and homes destroyed. As recovery efforts unfold in the southeastern region, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris actively engaged in surveying the catastrophic aftermath of the storm. President Biden reassured the affected communities, stating, “I am here to say the United States — the nation — has your back. We are not leaving till you are back on your feet completely.” Helene made landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region, the strongest in that area on record. Approximately 1.2 million residents continue to endure power outages across several southern states, with South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia reporting the highest numbers of affected customers. To bolster recovery efforts, President Biden has authorized the deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist the North Carolina National Guard in delivering essential supplies to isolated communities. The President remarked, “These soldiers will speed up the delivery of life-saving supplies of food, water, and medicine to isolated communities in North Carolina.” Amid these challenges, bipartisan efforts are underway as Senate leaders have called for Congress to convene in October to address the extensive destruction wrought by Hurricane Helene and ensure that necessary relief measures are swiftly enacted to support the millions impacted by this disaster.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, causing significant destruction across various southeastern states. The storm’s impact has been felt widely, resulting in loss of life and extensive property damage, comparable to some of the most devastating hurricanes in recent history. The ongoing recovery efforts involve federal support, state National Guard operations, and a pushed initiative for legislative action to secure relief for affected communities.
In summary, Hurricane Helene has emerged as one of the deadliest and most destructive storms to hit the U.S. mainland in years. With a rising death toll and ongoing power outages, federal support and bipartisan congressional action will be crucial in facilitating recovery for those affected by this disaster. The commitment from the President and congressional leaders illustrates a unified approach to address the immediate and long-term needs of the impacted states and their residents.
Original Source: abc11.com
