Hurricane Helene has caused over 200 deaths, mainly in North Carolina, as rescuers continue to look for survivors following the storm’s devastating path through the southeastern United States. This makes Helene the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which resulted in more than 1,800 fatalities.
Many communities in North Carolina have been completely destroyed, with 780,000 homes still without power nearly a week after Helene hit. President Joe Biden is touring the affected areas and visited Florida and Georgia, where he promised to support the recovery efforts. He assured residents, “I see you, I hear you, I grieve with you, and I promise you we have your back.”
In North Carolina, tens of thousands of people lack running water, and some of the worst impacts have been felt in Asheville, a mountainous area. One resident, Nicole Rojas, described her experience as feeling like she “just survived the apocalypse.” Tragically, an elderly couple in South Carolina lost their lives when a tree fell on their home.
Hundreds of roads are still closed, making it difficult for aid to reach those in need. Some private citizens are stepping in to help, using mules and helicopters to deliver supplies to remote areas. Michele Toberer, from Mountain Mule Packer Ranch, explained how mules are well-suited for these conditions, saying, “They are perfectly prepared for the conditions of the mountains.” They have already delivered hundreds of pounds of essential items like insulin and baby formula, despite the challenging muddy terrain.
In response to the storm, North Carolina has relocated about 800 inmates due to power outages and water shortages. Family members of prisoners have expressed concerns as they have not been able to contact their loved ones for over a week.
The National Guard has sent over 6,700 members to assist with recovery efforts, while President Biden has deployed 1,000 active-duty soldiers. Former President Donald Trump also visited Georgia to survey the damage.
More rain is expected in the coming days, which could hinder recovery efforts. Alejandro Mayorkas, the U.S. Homeland Security chief, warned that if another storm hits the U.S. soon, FEMA might struggle to provide help.
The Biden administration has already sent over 8.8 million meals and 7.4 million liters of water to the region as the hurricane season continues. There are currently two more storms forming, but they are not expected to hit the U.S. 【BBC】
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1k70rnrp4xo