At least 49 people have been confirmed dead and millions remain without power as the Southeast struggles with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The storm, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region Thursday night, has caused significant damage across five states, including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia. Rescue efforts are ongoing and officials warn that the full extent of the damage is still unknown.
The death toll is highest in South Carolina, where 19 people lost their lives, including two firefighters. Georgia has reported 15 deaths, while Florida, North Carolina and Virginia have each seen multiple fatalities, including drownings and accidents caused by treacherous road conditions.
Thousands of National Guard troops have been activated to assist with rescue missions, and the federal government has deployed over 1,500 workers to help. North Carolina has been particularly hard-hit, with life-threatening flooding and landslides reported in the western part of the state. Over 100 people have already been rescued from high waters.
Helene has also knocked out power for more than 3.3 million people across the Southeast, and recovery efforts are expected to take time as crews work to clear debris and repair infrastructure. Flash flood warnings and wind alerts remain in place for several states as the remnants of Helene continue to bring dangerous weather to the region.
Residents are being urged to stay indoors and avoid floodwaters as emergency personnel continue to conduct rescue and recovery operations.
