Authorities across the southeastern United States are grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, one of the most powerful storms to hit the country, as the death toll continues to rise.
By Saturday morning, at least 47 people had been confirmed dead, with officials fearing more victims would be discovered in the coming days.
Although downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone late Friday, Helene continues to cause havoc, bringing heavy rainfall and widespread flooding across multiple states, leading to fears of dam failures that could submerge entire towns.
President Joe Biden described the storm’s devastation as “overwhelming.” In a statement on Saturday, he said: “Jill and I continue to pray for all those who have lost loved ones and for everyone impacted by this storm. Our focus is on life-saving and life-sustaining response efforts in the Southeast”, according to a report by Associated Press.
The remains of a home on Davis Island that burned during Hurricane Helene on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP)
In Florida’s Pinellas County near Tampa, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri likened the damage to a “war zone,” saying he had never seen anything like the destruction caused by Helene. Power outages affected more than 3.25 million homes and businesses across five states, with South Carolina and Georgia being the hardest hit. It could be days before power is fully restored.
Some of the heaviest rainfall occurred in western North Carolina, with Mount Mitchell in Yancey County receiving nearly 30 inches (76 cm) of rain. The remnants of the storm were about 145 miles southwest of Louisville, Kentucky, by late Saturday morning.
Ellie Moss, along with family and friends cleans contents of her home after flooding from Hurricane Helene on Davis Island Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP)
In Tennessee, emergency services were stretched thin as they carried out multiple rescues, including the dramatic evacuation of over 50 people from a hospital roof in Unicoi County. Floodwaters from the Nolichucky River prevented conventional rescues, forcing officials to use boats and helicopters.
President Biden declared a state of emergency in Tennessee on Friday, unlocking federal aid for recovery efforts. Similar declarations have been made in other affected states, including Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina.
(with inputs from AP)
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