Hurricane Helene’s Catastrophic Impact: Death Toll Rises to 189
Hurricane Helene’s death toll has risen to at least 189, marking it the deadliest storm since Hurricane Katrina. The storm caused catastrophic damage in multiple states, with over 1.2 million customers without power. President Biden announced aid deployment and emphasized ongoing support for recovery efforts.
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically escalated to at least 189 confirmed fatalities, as reported on Wednesday evening by The Associated Press. This storm represents the deadliest hurricane to impact the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The repercussions of Hurricane Helene are extensive and include devastating storm surges, severe wind damage, and significant inland flooding across numerous states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. As recovery efforts progress in the Southeastern states, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have visited the region to assess the widespread devastation, while search and rescue operations are ongoing for those still missing. President Biden assured the affected residents, stating, “I am here to say the United States — the nation — has your back. We are not leaving till you are back on your feet completely.” Having made landfall as a ferocious Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region, Hurricane Helene has become the strongest storm recorded to make landfall in that area. Currently, approximately 1.2 million customers remain without power in the affected southern states, exacerbating the challenges faced by the populace. In South Carolina, over 484,410 customers are powerless, while North Carolina and Georgia report over 343,632 and 354,418 customers without power, respectively. Additional outages are evident in Florida, Virginia, and West Virginia. In response to the dire situation, President Biden has ordered the deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist the North Carolina National Guard in delivering essential supplies to isolated communities. “These soldiers will speed up the delivery of life-saving supplies of food, water, and medicine to isolated communities in North Carolina,” President Biden remarked, emphasizing the critical contribution these troops will make to ongoing relief efforts. A bipartisan group of Senate leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, has urged Congress to convene to address the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Helene, highlighting the necessity for legislative action to meet the urgent needs of affected states. Tens of millions of Americans have been impacted by this disaster, and efforts to provide aid and recovery assistance continue to unfold.
Hurricane Helene, which recently struck the southeastern United States, has been labeled as the deadliest storm to affect the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina, resulting in a high number of fatalities and sweeping destruction across multiple states. In addition to fatalities, the storm has caused widespread power outages and environmental damage, emphasizing the critical need for immediate recovery efforts.
The devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene underscores the severity of the storm and the urgent need for recovery assistance. With a confirmed death toll of 189, extensive power outages, and ongoing rescue operations, the situation demands a coordinated response at both federal and state levels. The commitment expressed by President Biden and the bipartisan call to action from Congressional leaders signal a collective effort to support recovery efforts in the affected communities.
Original Source: abc11.com
