Hurricane Helene death toll surpasses 200 as rescue efforts intensify

The death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically exceeded 200, with rescue operations ongoing as authorities search for survivors in the storm’s aftermath. The hurricane, which wreaked havoc across the southeastern United States, has resulted in widespread devastation, particularly in North Carolina, where more than half of the fatalities have been reported. This storm is noted as the deadliest to hit the mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which claimed over 1,800 lives.

As of now, hundreds remain unaccounted for, and nearly 780,000 homes are still without power nearly a week after Helene made landfall. The storm’s severe impacts have left tens of thousands of residents in North Carolina without running water, especially in the mountainous region around Asheville, where the damage has been particularly catastrophic.

President Joe Biden is currently on a two-day tour of the affected areas, visiting Florida and Georgia on Thursday. During an aerial survey of the damage in Tallahassee, Florida, where Helene first struck as a Category 4 storm, Biden expressed his condolences to the affected communities. In a heartfelt message delivered in Ray City, Georgia, he stated, “I see you, I hear you, I grieve with you, and I promise you we have your back. We’re going to stay until you’re restored.”

The president has authorized federal disaster assistance for those impacted in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, aiming to expedite recovery efforts in the hardest-hit areas.

The personal stories emerging from the disaster reveal the storm’s devastating impact. An elderly couple, Jerry and Marcia Savage, tragically lost their lives when a tree fell on their home in South Carolina. Their grandson recounted the heartbreaking discovery of the couple, found embracing each other in bed.

Rescue efforts are being hampered by hundreds of road closures, complicating the delivery of essential aid to communities in need. In response, local citizens have taken it upon themselves to assist with relief efforts, employing innovative methods to transport supplies.

Mountain Mule Packer Ranch has dispatched a team of mules to navigate challenging terrains, delivering vital supplies to remote areas. Mule-packer Michele Toberer noted, “They are perfectly prepared for the conditions of the mountains,” highlighting the mules’ ability to traverse broken roads and deep mud left by the floods.