Hurricane Helene’s Death Toll Reaches 189, Marking a Historic Disaster for the U.S.

Hurricane Helene’s death toll has risen to at least 189, marking it as the deadliest storm to hit the mainland US since Hurricane Katrina. The storm has caused significant destruction across several states, leaving over 1.2 million without power. President Biden has pledged federal support and deployed active-duty soldiers to assist recovery efforts. Bipartisan leaders in Congress are advocating for immediate legislative action to address the extensive needs of affected states and communities.

The confirmed death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically risen to at least 189 individuals, thus marking it as the deadliest storm to impact the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The destructive storm has wrought havoc across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee, causing significant storm surges, wind damage, and widespread inland flooding. In the wake of such devastation, recovery initiatives are ongoing throughout the Southeastern region of the United States. President Joe Biden, accompanied by Vice President Kamala Harris, visited the affected areas to assess the damage and to emphasize the commitment of the federal government to support recovery efforts. “I am here to say the United States — the nation — has your back,” President Biden assured residents in Raleigh, North Carolina. “We are not leaving till you are back on your feet completely.” Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, has resulted in over 1.2 million customers losing power across southern states, with South Carolina being the hardest hit, where over 484,000 customers are experiencing outages. Additional outages have been reported in North Carolina and Georgia as well. In response to the dire situation, President Biden announced the deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist the North Carolina National Guard in delivering essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine to isolated communities. This military support aims to expedite recovery efforts, with the soldiers expected to mobilize immediately. Biden described the storm as of “historic proportions” and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to providing relief to those affected by the catastrophic event. Furthermore, in a show of bipartisan cooperation, Senate leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, have called upon Congress to convene to discuss relief legislation in light of the storm’s extensive impact, emphasizing the necessity of addressing the immediate needs of affected constituents. As recovery operations continue, the scope of destruction caused by Hurricane Helene remains a pressing concern for both local and federal authorities.

Hurricane Helene has emerged as one of the most devastating storms to strike the mainland United States in recent history, with its effects being felt across several southeastern states. The storm highlights the ongoing challenge of disaster response and recovery, particularly in light of the significant loss of life and widespread infrastructural damage. The Federal Government’s involvement, including military support, aims to facilitate recovery operations while congressional leaders push for legislative measures to address the aftermath and ensure that affected individuals receive the assistance they need.

The death toll from Hurricane Helene has reached unprecedented levels, making it a catastrophic event in recent US history. The federal government’s commitment to bolster recovery efforts through military support underscores the severity of the disaster. Furthermore, bipartisan calls from Senate leaders indicate the urgent need for legislative action to provide relief to tens of millions of Americans impacted by the storm. The ongoing recovery process will require sustained efforts and cooperation at all levels of government.

Original Source: abc11.com