The death toll from Hurricane Helene has climbed to 227 as of Saturday, with recovery efforts ongoing more than a week after the storm wreaked havoc across the United States, impacting six states in total.
Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26 as a Category 4 hurricane, marking it as the deadliest hurricane to strike the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. As the storm moved northward from Florida, it left a trail of devastation, and authorities fear that the death toll may continue to rise as many individuals remain unaccounted for.
North Carolina has been hit the hardest, with approximately half of the hurricane’s casualties reported from the state. Both Georgia and South Carolina also suffered significant losses, according to NBC News. The city of Asheville, nestled in the western mountains of North Carolina, experienced particularly severe damage. As residents began the arduous task of cleaning up mud and debris from affected homes and businesses, the community rallied together to begin recovery efforts.
To date, North Carolinians have received over $27 million in individual assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as stated by MaryAnn Tierney, a regional administrator for the agency. In Buncombe County, where Asheville is located, FEMA-approved assistance has exceeded $12 million for survivors. Tierney emphasized the importance of registering for disaster assistance, noting that it is “the first step in the recovery process.”
“This is critical assistance that will help people with their immediate needs, as well as displacement assistance if they cannot stay in their homes,” she explained. “We can provide immediate relief in terms of serious needs assistance to replace food, water, medicines, and other life safety critical items.”
In Newport, an eastern Tennessee town with a population of about 7,000, residents continued their cleanup efforts from the destruction caused by Helene’s floodwaters on Saturday. Many families are still grappling with the aftermath of the hurricane as communities band together to support one another during this challenging time.
As recovery efforts progress, local and federal agencies are focusing on providing support and resources to those affected, aiming to restore a sense of normalcy to the devastated regions.
