Hurricane Helene continues to wreak havoc on the Southeastern U.S., leaving at least 49 dead and millions without power. The historic storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region Thursday night and has since moved north, impacting five states. Helene’s destructive force has caused widespread flooding, landslides and property damage, with many communities still under threat.
The death toll includes 19 people in South Carolina, 15 in Georgia, eight in Florida and several more in North Carolina and Virginia. Some of the fatalities were caused by floodwaters, while others were linked to dangerous road conditions, including a fatal car accident in North Carolina involving a 4-year-old child.
Thousands of National Guard troops have been mobilized to help with rescue efforts and the Biden-Harris administration has dispatched federal workers to assist in the hardest-hit areas. In North Carolina, where more than two feet of rain have fallen in some areas, over 100 people have already been rescued from rising floodwaters.
More than 3.3 million people are without power across the region and officials warn that power restoration could take days or even weeks in some areas. The storm has knocked down power lines, making many roads impassable and complicating rescue efforts.
Helene’s remnants continue to bring heavy rains and strong winds across the Southeast. Residents are urged to stay indoors as flash flooding and strong gusts are expected to persist throughout the weekend.
