Death Toll from Hurricane Helene Rises to 227
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically risen to 227 as recovery efforts continue more than a week after the devastating storm hit the Southeast. The monster storm caused havoc in six states, leaving a path of destruction in its wake.
Helene made landfall on September 26 as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread damage as it moved northward from Florida. Homes were washed away, roads were destroyed, and millions were left without electricity and cellphone service.
The number of deaths was at 225 on Friday, with two more reported in South Carolina the following day. The fate of those unaccounted for or missing remains uncertain, raising concerns that the death toll could climb even higher.
With about half of the victims in North Carolina, Hurricane Helene is now the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina in 2005. Georgia and South Carolina also suffered significant losses.
The city of Asheville, North Carolina, was hit particularly hard, with workers now cleaning up the aftermath. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved over $27 million in individual assistance for North Carolinians affected by the storm.
In Buncombe County, where Asheville is located, FEMA-approved assistance has surpassed $12 million for survivors, providing critical support to those in need.
Asheville and other mountain towns far inland were also impacted by Helene’s floodwaters, prompting country music star Dolly Parton to donate $1 million to assist flood victims through the Mountain Ways Foundation.
Walmart has also pledged $10 million to hurricane relief efforts, as communities like Newport, Tennessee, continue to recover from the devastation caused by Helene’s floodwaters.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and community support in times of crisis.
