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CatastropheUnited States of America

US: Hurricane Helene leaves millions without power

September 29, 2024

Rescuers were air dropping food and water to areas affected by Hurricane Helene across the southeastern US, where hundreds of roads remain blocked in the wake of the storm.

https://p.dw.com/p/4lDIE
House roof smashed by a giant falling tree in Georgia
The tropical cyclone wrought havoc across five US statesImage: John Falchetto/AFP/Getty Images

Some 2.7 million people were without power as of Sunday, US officials said, and hundreds of thousands were stranded or isolated across southeastern US due to rainfall and flooding triggered by Hurricane Helene.

The storm hit the Florida coast on Thursday, bringing winds of up to 225 kilometers per hour (140 mph). It then moved through Georgia, North and South Carolina and Tennessee to dissipate over Kentucky on Saturday.

Officials said at least 91 people had been reported dead across states, and the death toll was expected to rise.

A hospital surrounded by floodwater in Tennesee
Rescuers used a helicopter to rescue patients and doctors from a hospital in the town of Erwin, TennesseeImage: Tennessee Emergency Management Agency/AP/picture alliance

Roads 'unpassable' in North Carolina

In North Carolina, the storm triggered the worst flooding in a century. Governor Roy Cooper said his state has 11 confirmed deaths but "we know there will be more." Nearly 300 roads remained closed. Several bridges were washed away by flooding.

Cooper urged people in western North Carolina to avoid travel and keep roads empty for emergency services.

"Many people are cut off because the roads are impassable," he told reporters at a press conference.

A parking lot in North Carolina with only tops of the cars visible above muddy water
Rescuers were distributing aid to survivors near the city of Asheville, North CarolinaImage: Getty Images

The North Carolina governor also said members of the National Guard and dozens of search and rescue teams were air dropping supplies, including food and water, to isolated areas.

More than 50 search teams were working throughout the region.

Hurricane causes billions in damages

While inspecting her destroyed house in Florida, survivor Charlene told the Reuters news agency that the devastation "just breaks your heart."

"Five generations lived in this house, from my grandmother, my father, myself, my daughter, son and my granddaughter," she said. "So there's a lot of memories here."

Several buidlings standing in a mostly destroyed neighborhood in Florida
The Florida coast was first to be impacted by the hurricaneImage: Marco Bello/REUTERS

Damage estimates ranged from $15 billion to $100 billion (€13.4 billion to €89.5 billion). Many communities were left without access to clean water.

US Coast Guard personnel use boats for search and rescue in Florida
Hundreds of rescuers were still looking for survivors in different parts of the USImage: Nicholas Strasburg/UsCoast/ZUMA Press Wire/IMAGO

US President Joe Biden described the devastation as "overwhelming" and approved a declaration which makes federal relief funding available. He announced plans to visit hard-hit areas this week as long as it did not disrupt rescue and aid operations.

Biden pledged to "make certain that no resource is spared to ensure that families, businesses, schools, hospitals, and entire communities can quickly begin their road to rebuilding."

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, who are rivals in the upcoming general elections this November, both announced plans to visit once the situation was under control.

dj/wd (Reuters, AP, AFP)