ATLANTA, GA – The aftermath of Hurricane Helen has left the southeastern United States in a state of crisis. The death toll has now reached at least 64, with millions of people still without power and entire communities devastated. Rescue and recovery operations are ongoing, as officials begin to survey the extensive damage.
In Tennessee and North Carolina, dozens of people remain missing. The storm, which roared through the region days ago, triggered deadly floods and landslides, particularly affecting western North Carolina and the area around Asheville. Officials have described the devastation as “biblical,” with Buncombe County experiencing its own version of Hurricane Katrina. The storm dumped nearly 30 inches of rain in some parts of the Carolina Mountains, resulting in nearly a dozen landslides.
As of Saturday, more than 400 roads have been shut down by the state Department of Transportation, leaving countless residents stranded. Rescue crews and neighbors have been going door-to-door to assist the most vulnerable. Relief teams from nearly 20 states are on the ground, working tirelessly to rescue hundreds of people from floodwaters and provide essential supplies.
In Tennessee, the situation is equally dire. Catastrophic flooding has left more than 30 people unaccounted for, with helicopter footage revealing entire neighborhoods wiped out. The storm has destroyed homes and businesses, and in some cases, bridges have collapsed into rivers. One resident lamented the loss of their entire life but expressed determination to rebuild.
The storm’s impact stretches down to Florida, where Helen made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane. Millions remain in the dark, grappling with the aftermath. In Georgia, storm victims are still reeling, including the Hall family, who had to evacuate by boat. They have returned to their storm-ravaged home to begin the arduous task of picking up the pieces.
With many communities in the Carolina Mountains cut off by road, much-needed supplies are being flown in. Efforts are underway not only to save lives but also to restore power and repair cell service damaged by the storm. The scale of the disaster is staggering, and the recovery process is expected to be long and challenging.