Hurricane Helene’s Death Toll Rises to 189, Marking Severe Impact on U.S.
Hurricane Helene’s death toll has tragically reached 189, marking it the deadliest storm on the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina. The storm caused severe flooding and damage across several southern states, with ongoing recovery efforts. President Biden has mobilized active-duty soldiers to assist in delivering essential supplies to impacted communities as 1.2 million customers remain without power.
The confirmed death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically risen to at least 189 individuals as of Wednesday evening, according to reports from The Associated Press. This dire statistic marks Helene as the deadliest hurricane to impact the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The catastrophe unleashed a combination of damaging storm surge, fierce winds, and extensive inland flooding across several southern states, profoundly affecting communities in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. The destruction has resulted in inundated neighborhoods, stranded residents, and obliterated homes. In response to the extensive damage, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the affected areas to assess the scale of destruction firsthand, as rescue efforts persist to find those who remain unaccounted for. “I am here to say the United States — the nation — has your back,” President Biden assured attendees in Raleigh, North Carolina. “We are not leaving until you are back on your feet completely.” Hurricane Helene made landfall last Thursday night in Florida’s Big Bend as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, marking it as the strongest hurricane to make landfall in that region on record. Recovery efforts continue diligently, with reports indicating that 1.2 million customers still experience power outages in several impacted states. As of Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., approximately 1,276,750 customers remain without power across the South, based on data from poweroutage.us. Among the most severely affected states are South Carolina, with over 484,410 outages; North Carolina, with over 343,632; and Georgia, tallying over 354,418 outages. Additional outages have been registered in Florida (40,724), Virginia (40,184), and West Virginia (13,382). In a proactive measure, President Biden has authorized the deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to augment the North Carolina National Guard. This action aims to expedite the distribution of essential resources—food, water, and medicine—necessary for isolated communities in North Carolina. “These soldiers will accelerate the vital delivery of life-saving supplies to the affected populations,” President Biden stated. Recognizing the extensive impacts of the hurricane, Senate leaders Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, along with several colleagues across the political spectrum, issued a joint letter urging Congress to convene in October to address the extensive needs arising from Hurricane Helene’s devastation. The leaders emphasized the necessity for legislative action to provide relief to the tens of millions of Americans affected by the storm. “Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents,” the letter expressed.
Hurricane Helene has inflicted extensive damage upon several states in the southeastern United States, culminating in significant loss of life and impaired infrastructure. As recovery efforts initiate, the government is prioritizing rescuing those stranded and bringing aid to communities that have suffered extensive losses. The storm’s characteristics have set records, and the implications for the region’s recovery remain severe. The response from the federal government highlights the necessity for urgent and substantial aid to support recovery efforts for individuals and communities alike.
In summary, Hurricane Helene has led to a catastrophic death toll and widespread destruction across several southeastern states, necessitating federal intervention and support for recovery efforts. The commitment of government officials to aid affected communities reflects a unified response to this devastating event. As recovery efforts proceed, the impact of Helene will be felt long after the storm has passed.
Original Source: abc11.com
