MIAMI, Sep 30 (Alliance News): Rescuers are working tirelessly to reach those in need in the southeastern United States following the devastation caused by Storm Helene.
Flooded roads, power outages, and hazardous conditions are severely impeding these efforts, officials reported.
The storm has wreaked havoc across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, leaving some areas appearing as if they had been completely wiped out. “Search and rescue efforts by local, state, and federal responders are ongoing,” stated Lori Moore-Merrell of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Currently, significant road closures due to standing water and other hazards are hampering response efforts, including power restoration, debris clearance, and damage assessments.
The death toll has tragically risen to at least 64 across the five affected states. The breakdown of fatalities includes 24 in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, 11 in North Carolina, and one in Virginia, as reported by local authorities.
Active flash flood emergencies continue in western North Carolina, with concerns about potential dam failures. Ken Graham, director of the National Weather Service, noted that weather conditions are expected to improve by Tuesday.
Thousands are seeking assistance in shelters run by the American Red Cross. “Because it’s so difficult to get trucks in by land, yesterday we began airlifting supplies, including food and water, into the region,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said, highlighting the extent of the flooding that has made road access nearly impossible.
Helene made landfall as a powerful Category Four hurricane, with winds reaching 140 miles per hour, before weakening into a post-tropical cyclone. Despite its weakening, the storm caused widespread destruction, particularly in North Carolina, where conditions remain extremely dangerous.
Hundreds of roads are closed across the region, with several bridges washed away. Four major interstate highways are also closed in North Carolina and Tennessee, impacting travel significantly.
The Georgia city of Valdosta saw roofs torn off buildings, and residents reported chaos as the storm unleashed its fury. “The wind started really hitting… and then literally this whole street, just everything went black,” recounted Valdosta resident Steven Mauro.
Efforts are underway to restore power to over 2.7 million households that remain without electricity. According to Matt Targuagno of the U.S. Department of Energy, restoring power is a “complex, multi-day response.”
