Hurricane Helene’s death toll has risen to at least 189, making it the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina. The storm has caused catastrophic flooding and extensive damages across several southern states. Recovery efforts include the deployment of active-duty troops to assist in delivering essential supplies. Bipartisan calls for congressional action emphasize the need for support for millions affected by the storm.
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically increased to at least 189 individuals as of Wednesday evening, as reported by The Associated Press. This makes it the deadliest hurricane to impact the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The catastrophic effects of Helene, which include severe storm surges, wind damage, and extensive inland flooding, have led to widespread devastation across several states, notably Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Such destruction has resulted in flooded neighborhoods, stranded residents, and the obliteration of homes. As recovery operations unfold in the Southeast, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the area on Wednesday to assess the damage and continue the search for missing individuals. During a speech in Raleigh, North Carolina, President Biden assured residents, “I’m here to say the United States — the nation — has your back. We’re not leaving till you’re back on your feet completely.” Hurricane Helene made landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region, marking it as the strongest hurricane to affect this area on record. In the aftermath, around 1.2 million customers remain without power across several Southern states, with the hardest-hit states being South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, reporting significant outages. In response to the devastation, President Biden has authorized the deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist the North Carolina National Guard. These troops will expedite the delivery of life-saving supplies to isolated communities. Biden stated, “These soldiers will speed up the delivery of life-saving supplies of food, water, and medicine to isolated communities in North Carolina.” Furthermore, a joint letter from Senate leaders Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell urged Congress to convene to address the urgent needs resulting from Hurricane Helene’s destruction. They emphasized the importance of acting swiftly to support the millions of Americans affected by the storm and proposed a meeting in October to facilitate timely legislative action. Overall, Hurricane Helene has wrought unprecedented devastation, prompting a strong federal response and a call for cohesive legislative measures to assist those in dire need.
Hurricane Helene has emerged as one of the most destructive storms to strike the United States in recent history, drawing comparisons to Hurricane Katrina in terms of its death toll and impact on affected regions. Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, causing significant damage across several southern states. The storm’s aftermath has necessitated extensive recovery efforts and has prompted direct responses from federal and state officials, including the unprecedented deployment of military resources to aid in disaster relief. As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on restoring power and providing necessary supplies to affected areas while ensuring legislative support is mobilized swiftly to address the urgent needs of millions impacted by the storm.
The devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene has established a new grim benchmark for hurricanes affecting the mainland United States, with a confirmed death toll of at least 189 individuals. The extensive damage and power outages across multiple states highlight the urgent need for continued recovery efforts and federal support. Meanwhile, bipartisan calls in Congress underscore the necessity of swift legislative action to assist millions of Americans currently facing the fallout from this historic storm.
Original Source: abc11.com
