Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc across the Southeast United States, making landfall as the strongest hurricane on record to hit Florida’s Big Bend region and devastating multiple states. The storm has left at least 95 people dead and millions without power, while families remain stranded in floodwaters. North Carolina has been hit particularly hard, with roads submerged and many residents cut off from essential supplies.
The hurricane has claimed lives in six states, with North Carolina reporting 36 fatalities, South Carolina 25, Georgia 17, Florida 11, Tennessee 4, and Virginia 2. Communications outages have left many people unaccounted for, complicating rescue efforts.
A person looks at storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. Sean Rayford/Getty Images
Approximately 300 roads are closed in North Carolina, with another 150 in South Carolina, hampering water supply deliveries. The flooding has destroyed homes and infrastructure, forcing many to evacuate or seek shelter. Meanwhile, millions in the Southeast remain without electricity, with power restoration efforts underway but slow due to the extent of the damage.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation and will visit the disaster areas soon. He has approved federal disaster declarations for the affected states, enabling more resources for relief and recovery.
As the region grapples with ongoing rainfall and rising water levels, residents and emergency responders continue to face immense challenges. The full scope of the damage is yet to be assessed, and the recovery process is expected to be long and arduous for the devastated communities.
