By Edna-UCLIQ
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has risen to at least 200, according to authorities, reported the Associated Press. Rescue operations are in full force, with helicopters searching for survivors above washed-out bridges, while ground crews hike through remote areas.
The Category 4 storm wreaked havoc across Florida’s Gulf Coast before dumping over 40 trillion gallons of rainfall across the southern U.S. “That’s an astronomical amount of precipitation,” said Ed Clark, head of NOAA’s Tuscaloosa water center.
The deluge triggered catastrophic flooding, mudslides, and widespread outages of power, internet, and water supplies.
Vice President Kamala Harris announced plans to visit Georgia on Wednesday to survey the storm’s impact. President Joe Biden will survey the damage in the Carolinas, according to AFP.
The death toll stands at 74 in North Carolina, 39 in South Carolina, and 33 in Georgia, as confirmed by Governor Brian Kemp. Other fatalities include 14 in Florida, four in Tennessee, and two in Virginia
Swannanoa, North Carolina
Stefanie Scarfia, a Florida resident and travel nurse stranded in North Carolina, shared her experience with CNN, “I’ve never seen anything like this. I’ve lived in Florida, but I’ve never been in something this bad.”
Stranded for five days at a lodge in Little Switzerland, she described roads washed away by landslides.
“That’s the biggest problem here, the landslides,” Scarfia added, noting her inability to reach work due to her vehicle getting stuck.
Emergency crews are working to restore power and water, while hundreds remain unaccounted for.
Officials hope restored cell service will reunite families. “We know that the devastation brought by Hurricane Helene is beyond belief,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said, warning that the death toll could rise.
Buncombe County in western North Carolina, home to Asheville, was hardest hit, reporting nearly 60 fatalities. Over 900,000 homes remained without power as of Thursday
