The death toll from Hurricane Helene in the eastern and southeastern United States has tragically risen to at least 63, with millions still without power across ten states, according to officials. The storm made landfall in northwest Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, packing winds of 140 mph, before moving northward and causing widespread devastation.
In South Carolina alone, 24 fatalities were reported, with additional deaths in Georgia (17), Florida (11), North Carolina (10), and Virginia (1). President Joe Biden expressed his sorrow over the loss of life and the extensive destruction, stating, 'The road to recovery will be long.'
States including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee have declared federal states of emergency. Over 800 FEMA personnel have been deployed to assist in recovery efforts, which are being hampered by rugged terrain and blocked access roads.
As of Saturday night, more than 2.7 million people remained without electricity from Florida to southeastern Indiana. In Cedar Key, a small island community, city worker Gabe Doty described the scene as heartbreaking, noting the loss of homes and vital infrastructure. 'It’s a real tragedy, and it’s going to be hard to rebuild,' he said.
- Conditions are expected to improve following the catastrophic flooding of the past two days, according to the National Hurricane Center, although they warned that power outages could be long-lasting. Severe flooding and landslides have affected areas as far as Asheville, North Carolina.
- Governor Roy Cooper remarked that this hurricane is among the worst storms in modern history for western North Carolina. Meanwhile, the risk of the Nolichuky Dam in Tennessee failing was ruled out, allowing residents downstream to return home safely.
- In Erwin, Tennessee, over 50 hospital patients and staff had to be evacuated by helicopter after seeking refuge on the roof during the storm. Experts have noted that Hurricane Helene's rapid intensification was likely influenced by exceptionally warm ocean waters, a phenomenon linked to climate change that increases the likelihood of powerful hurricanes.
