Janice R. Andrews
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene continues to unfold across the Southeastern United States, with the death toll reaching 91 and 2.4 million residents left without electricity as of Sunday afternoon. As the storm subsides, emergency teams are working round the clock to evaluate the extent of damage and locate missing individuals.
Devastating Arrival
Hurricane Helene made its catastrophic landfall on Thursday night, slamming into Florida’s Big Bend area as a Category 4 hurricane with winds up to 140 mph. The destructive storm carved a path through multiple states including Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. Now downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, Helene lingers over the Tennessee Valley, continuing to dump rain and cause extensive flooding.
Rising Death Count
By Sunday evening, the confirmed death toll across five states had risen to at least 91. Florida, where Helene first struck, reported 11 fatalities. Governor Ron DeSantis described coastal areas like Keaton Beach as “utterly demolished.” Many homes, some still recovering from 2023’s Hurricane Idalia, were swept away by Helene’s relentless storm surge.
South Carolina suffered the highest number of casualties with 24 deaths. Georgia reported over 20 fatalities, including children, while North Carolina confirmed 10 storm-related deaths. Search teams are still trying to locate over 1,000 missing people in North Carolina and Tennessee, where floodwaters destroyed homes and displaced numerous residents.
Widespread Power Outages
The hurricane has left a vast swath of the Southeast without power. As of Sunday afternoon, approximately 2.4 million residents across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia remain without electricity. South Carolina experienced the most extensive blackouts, with around 870,000 residents affected. Georgia follows with over 656,000 homes and businesses in the dark, and North Carolina has more than 526,000 without power. Florida and Virginia continue to grapple with power disruptions, reporting approximately 194,000 and 127,000 outages, respectively.
Economic Impact: Damages in the Billions
AccuWeather estimates the total cost of Helene’s destruction between $95 billion and $110 billion, potentially making it one of the costliest storms in U.S. history. North Carolina experienced its worst flooding in over a century, with Yancey County alone receiving nearly 30 inches of rain. Atlanta, Georgia, saw record-breaking rainfall of 11.12 inches over 48 hours—the highest in over 100 years. Statewide damages could exceed the $1.2 billion caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018.
Florida also suffered extensive destruction. Florida Urban Search and Rescue reported over 84 structures completely destroyed and more than 4,000 sustaining significant water damage.
Rescue Operations Underway
Over 800 FEMA personnel are providing crucial assistance to affected areas. In North Carolina, more than 200 people have been rescued from floodwaters, while another 190 were saved in Florida as waters breached dams. As of Sunday, about 1,300 people were sheltering in 43 facilities across 21 Florida counties.
Debris, fallen trees, and severe flooding have resulted in over 400 road closures in North Carolina. By Sunday afternoon, the state’s Department of Transportation reported at least 300 active road incidents. Georgia’s Emergency Management Agency is heavily involved in rescue efforts across 32 counties.
Federal Aid Mobilized
On Sunday, President Biden approved North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper’s request for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration, enabling FEMA to provide critical aid to 25 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee. This federal assistance will be crucial in helping the state recover from the widespread destruction.
More Precipitation Expected
Although Helene has weakened, it continues to linger over the Tennessee Valley, with heavy rainfall remaining a significant concern. Western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, including popular tourist destinations like Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, could see up to two more inches of rain through Monday.
The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings for the Central Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic regions. The threat of excessive rainfall is expected to persist through Tuesday morning. An upper-level low-pressure system over the Ohio Valley is also forecast to bring additional rain as it moves eastward toward the Mid-Atlantic by Tuesday.
Looking Ahead
While Helene is expected to dissipate by Monday, recovery efforts will continue for weeks, if not months. Emergency responders are still working to locate missing individuals, restore power, and provide shelter for those displaced. Communities across the Southeast are grappling with the immediate aftermath, but federal support and local efforts are intensifying to provide relief.
For the millions affected by Hurricane Helene, the path to recovery will be long and arduous. As cleanup begins, attention will shift to rebuilding homes, restoring infrastructure, and helping residents piece their lives back together in the wake of this catastrophic storm.
