Hurricane Helene’s Death Toll Reaches 189, Marking the Deadliest Storm Since Katrina
Hurricane Helene’s confirmed death toll has risen to at least 189, marking it as the deadliest storm since Hurricane Katrina. The storm has caused catastrophic flooding and destruction in several southern states, and recovery efforts are underway. President Biden visited the region and announced the deployment of active-duty soldiers to support relief efforts, while Congressional leaders called for urgent legislative action to address the devastation.
The confirmed death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically increased to at least 189 individuals as of Wednesday evening, according to The Associated Press. This catastrophic storm has become the deadliest to strike the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane has caused extensive storm surges, wind damage, and pervasive flooding across several southern states, most notably Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, resulting in neighborhoods being inundated, residents stranded, and homes devastated. In response to the disaster, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the affected areas to assess the extensive damage while emphasizing the commitment of the federal government to assist those impacted. “I’m here to say the United States — the nation — has your back,” President Biden remarked to the crowd in Raleigh, North Carolina. “We are not leaving till you are back on your feet completely.” Hurricane Helene made landfall as a formidable Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region, marking it as the most potent hurricane to ever impact that area. Recovery efforts remain ongoing, with approximately 1.2 million customers still without power across the southern states. According to statistics from poweroutage.us, as of Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., there were 1,276,750 customers in the South experiencing outages, with the hardest-hit states being South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, among others. To expedite recovery and assistance efforts, President Biden announced the deployment of up to one thousand active-duty soldiers to support the North Carolina National Guard. These soldiers will provide logistical support for delivering essential supplies of food, water, and medicine to isolated communities in North Carolina. Biden noted, “These soldiers will speed up the delivery of life-saving supplies of food, water, and medicine to isolated communities in North Carolina.” Additionally, Senate leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, have called for Congress to convene and address the significant needs emerging from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene. In a joint letter, they stated, “Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents.” Efforts to provide immediate assistance are ongoing, with organizations such as the Red Cross urging donations to support recovery efforts.
Hurricane Helene has resulted in unprecedented destruction across several states in the southern region of the United States. The situation has necessitated a federal response to aid recovery efforts and support affected communities. With a rising death toll and widespread power outages, local, state, and national leaders are mobilizing resources and support to address both the immediate and longer-term needs of those impacted. The federal government is actively coordinating military support to expedite the delivery of essential supplies, demonstrating a commitment to assist communities in the aftermath of this devastating natural disaster.
In summary, Hurricane Helene has inflicted severe harm resulting in a rising death toll and extensive property damage across multiple states. As recovery efforts continue, the federal government has pledged support through active-duty military assistance and coordinated relief efforts. Additionally, Congressional leaders are advocating for immediate legislative action to address the aftermath and unmet needs arising from this crisis. The resilience of affected communities is paramount as they navigate the challenges posed by this catastrophic event.
Original Source: abc11.com
