The death toll from Storm Helene has risen to at least 63 as rescue and recovery operations struggle against difficult conditions in the southern and eastern U.S. The powerful storm, which hit Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, has devastated communities with flooding, power outages, and destroyed infrastructure across several states.
Widespread Destruction and Ongoing Efforts
As of Saturday, fatalities were reported in five states: 24 in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, 10 in North Carolina, and one in Virginia. Federal emergency declarations have been made across six states—Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee—with over 800 personnel from FEMA dispatched to assist local authorities.
Emergency crews face major challenges, with roads blocked by debris and bridges washed out, slowing their search for survivors. Although the storm has weakened, the National Weather Service warned of long-lasting power outages and potential infrastructure damage.
Communities in Crisis
In Tennessee, the Nolichucky Dam narrowly avoided collapse due to rising floodwaters, while parts of North Carolina and South Carolina have reported entire towns cut off due to mudslides and washed-out roads. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Helene’s damage surpassed that of recent hurricanes Idalia and Debby, calling it a “gut punch” for affected areas.
In Cedar Key, Florida, an island city heavily impacted by the storm, residents are grappling with the loss of homes and livelihoods. Despite the destruction, rescue operations continue, with 50 people airlifted from a flooded hospital in Tennessee.
Federal Support and Response
President Joe Biden described the damage from Helene as “overwhelming” and directed FEMA to accelerate rescue and recovery efforts. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell will visit Georgia and North Carolina in the coming days to assess the federal response.
As cleanup efforts expand, the long-term impact of Helene is being compared to some of the most severe storms in recent history, with scientists linking this extreme weather to climate change.
