Hurricane Helene kills 227 in six US states, rescue ops continue

Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc across six US states, claiming the lives of 227 people so far. The hardest-hit areas include North Carolina, Georgia, and South Carolina, where significant damage has been reported.

Helene made landfall on September 26 as a Category 4 hurricane, slamming into Florida’s coast and pushing northward, destroying homes, roads, and cutting off power and communication for millions of residents.

The death toll in South Carolina has risen to 227, and with many still missing, the number may climb even higher. Helene has now become the deadliest hurricane to strike mainland US since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The city of Asheville, North Carolina, experienced extensive damage, with thousands of businesses and homes affected by the storm’s wrath. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided over $27 million in aid to North Carolinians, including $12 million for Buncombe County survivors. MaryAnn Tierney, FEMA’s regional administrator, stated that the assistance would help residents meet their immediate needs and provide support for displaced individuals.

Country music icon Dolly Parton announced a $1 million donation to aid victims of Hurricane Helene. Additionally, Parton’s businesses and the Dollywood Foundation are matching this with another $1 million contribution. Parton expressed her deep connection with the victims, stating that many of them grew up in the mountains like she did.

Walmart’s US President and CEO, John Furner, pledged $10 million to hurricane relief efforts.

In Newport, Tennessee, residents continued cleaning up after Helene’s destructive floodwaters swept through. Homes along the Pigeon River were damaged, and the city’s police department and City Hall were inundated.

Further east in Del Rio, residents and volunteers worked tirelessly to clean up the debris. Chainsaws buzzed through downed trees, while equipment cleared away mangled debris. Several homes were heavily damaged, with some even knocked off their foundations.