The confirmed death toll from Hurricane Helene has increased to at least 189, making it the deadliest storm since Hurricane Katrina on the U.S. mainland. Catastrophic impacts from the storm have affected several states, particularly Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, resulting in widespread flooding and destruction. President Biden has assured ongoing federal support, including the deployment of active-duty soldiers to aid recovery efforts.
As of Wednesday evening, the confirmed death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically risen to a minimum of 189 individuals, marking it as the deadliest storm to strike the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane has caused catastrophic impacts across several states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, due to storm surges, wind damage, and severe inland flooding. Many neighborhoods have been inundated, with numerous residents stranded and homes destroyed. In light of the destruction, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the affected regions on Wednesday to assess the damage and ongoing recovery efforts. “I am here to say the United States — the nation — has your back,” Biden assured the crowd in Raleigh, North Carolina. “We are not leaving till you are back on your feet completely.” Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a formidable Category 4 storm, is noted as the strongest hurricane on record to impact this area. Recovery efforts continue, with approximately 1.2 million customers without power across the southern states affected by the hurricane; over 484,410 customers in South Carolina, 343,632 in North Carolina, and 354,418 in Georgia remain without power. To bolster recovery operations, President Biden announced the deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the North Carolina National Guard in delivering essential supplies like food, water, and medicine to isolated communities. Biden emphasized the response and relief efforts, stating, “These soldiers will speed up the delivery of life-saving supplies… They will join hundreds of North Carolina National Guard members deployed under State authorities in support of the response.” In a collective effort, Senate leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, urged Congress to convene and address the extensive destruction caused by the hurricane, recognizing the clear need for legislative action to support the affected states. The Senate leaders expressed their hope to enact relief legislation before the end of the calendar year, highlighting, “Tens of millions of Americans were impacted by Hurricane Helene, and we look forward to working with you to provide relief to those impacted by this horrific storm.”
Hurricane Helene has emerged as one of the most devastating storms to hit the U.S. mainland in recent history, causing significant loss of life and destruction across several southeastern states. The storm’s force has drawn comparisons with previous hurricanes, particularly Hurricane Katrina, which remains infamous for its catastrophic impact. The Federal response has been swift, with high-level officials visiting the affected areas and military personnel being deployed to assist in recovery efforts, demonstrating the seriousness of the situation and the urgent need for comprehensive relief measures. The widespread power outages and infrastructure damage have compounded the challenges faced by local and federal authorities in their rehabilitation efforts.
In conclusion, Hurricane Helene has resulted in tragic loss of life and widespread destruction across the southeastern United States, presenting an unprecedented challenge for recovery efforts. The federal government’s commitment to assist the affected states has been emphasized through military support and the call for legislative action by congressional leaders. As recovery progresses, significant attention will be focused on providing necessary relief and rebuilding communities impacted by this devastating storm.
Original Source: abc11.com