The confirmed death toll from Hurricane Helene has risen to at least 189, marking it the deadliest storm since Hurricane Katrina. The storm caused widespread devastation from Florida to Tennessee, leading to significant power outages and destruction. President Biden has deployed military support to assist in relief efforts, emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to helping affected communities during recovery.
The confirmed death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically escalated to at least 189 individuals, marking it as the deadliest hurricane to strike the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina, according to reports by The Associated Press. The catastrophic effects of the storm, including severe storm surges, wind damage, and widespread inland flooding, have resulted in significant destruction across multiple states, involving Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. As recovery operations progress throughout the Southeast, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have commenced a visit to the affected areas to assess the damage and provide support. “I am here to say the United States—the nation—has your back,” President Biden assured residents during a gathering in Raleigh, North Carolina. “We are not leaving until you are back on your feet completely.” Hurricane Helene made landfall on Thursday night at Florida’s Big Bend region as a fierce Category 4 hurricane, making it the strongest hurricane on record for this specific location. Recovery efforts from the devastation wrought by the storm are ongoing, and approximately 1.2 million customers still remain without power in regions throughout the South as of Wednesday afternoon. The states most heavily impacted include South Carolina, with over 484,410 customers without power, as well as North Carolina and Georgia, with over 343,632 and 354,418 outages respectively. Power outages are also recorded in Florida, Virginia, and West Virginia. In response to the crisis, President Biden announced the deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty military personnel to assist the North Carolina National Guard in delivering life-saving supplies to isolated communities. “These soldiers will expedite the delivery of food, water, and medicine to isolated communities in North Carolina,” Biden stated, emphasizing that they possess both the manpower and logistic capabilities necessary for rapid deployment. This deployment will take effect immediately and will include units from the Infantry Battalion Task Force based in Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Furthermore, on Tuesday, a bipartisan group of Senate leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, issued a joint letter urging Congress to convene and address the extensive challenges faced by the affected states. They emphasized the necessity for legislative action to meet the urgent needs of communities devastated by the storm, suggesting Congress reconvene in October to ensure timely assistance before the year concludes. “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,” the senators noted in their correspondence.
Hurricane Helene has become a significant national disaster in the United States, marking a noteworthy event in recent history due to its devastating impact and high death toll. By reaching a confirmed death count of 189, it has etched its name as one of the deadliest storms in recent memory, second only to Hurricane Katrina. The widespread destruction across various states has led to a coordinated federal response, showcasing the government’s commitment to assist affected communities and emphasize the importance of disaster management and recovery efforts during such calamities. The ongoing power outages and the mobilization of military resources for recovery underscore the magnitude of the storm’s effects and the necessity for continued support and legislative action to ensure aid reaches those in need.
In conclusion, Hurricane Helene has inflicted immense devastation across several southeastern states, leading to a high death toll and significant challenges in recovery efforts. The federal government’s response, highlighted by the deployment of active-duty soldiers and coordinated support from various levels of government, reflects a commitment to helping impacted communities. The call for Congress to convene and address the aftermath illustrates the urgent need for legislative action to facilitate recovery and provide necessary resources to those affected by this monumental disaster.
Original Source: abc11.com
