Hurricane Helene has caused at least 189 fatalities, making it the deadliest storm to hit the mainland U.S. since Katrina. The storm’s damage is extensive across several states with over 1.2 million power outages reported, prompting federal response and recovery efforts. President Biden has stated commitment to supporting affected communities as bipartisan calls for congressional action emerge to address recovery needs.
As of Wednesday evening, the confirmed death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically risen to at least 189 individuals, marking it as the deadliest storm to strike the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. This hurricane brought catastrophic consequences, including a devastating storm surge, significant wind damage, and severe inland flooding that has flooded neighborhoods, isolated residents, and demolished homes across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. In response to the disaster, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris undertook a visit to the affected regions to assess the destruction. Addressing the residents in Raleigh, North Carolina, President Biden stated, “I am here to say the United States — the nation — has your back. We are not leaving till you are back on your feet completely.” Hurricane Helene made landfall as a powerful Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region last Thursday, an event documented as the strongest hurricane on record to strike that area. As efforts to recover from this unprecedented disaster continue, approximately 1.2 million residents are still experiencing power outages across several southern states. As of Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., a total of 1,276,750 customers remain without power, as reported by poweroutage.us. The states experiencing the most significant outages include South Carolina with over 484,410 customers, North Carolina with more than 343,632 customers, and Georgia with approximately 354,418 customers affected. Other states reporting outages include Florida, Virginia, and West Virginia. In an effort to accelerate recovery, President Biden announced the deployment of nearly 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the North Carolina National Guard. These soldiers are expected to facilitate the delivery of essential supplies such as food, water, and medical assistance to communities in need. “These soldiers will speed up the delivery of life-saving supplies of food, water, and medicine to isolated communities in North Carolina,” President Biden reiterated. As the damage is assessed, bipartisan support from Senate leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, called upon Congress to convene to address the aftermath of the hurricane. “Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents,” they stated in a joint letter.
Hurricane Helene has emerged as a catastrophic natural disaster impacting several southern states of the United States. With its record-setting landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region, it has caused extensive damage and has notably led to the loss of life, marking its status as the deadliest storm in recent history since Hurricane Katrina, which devastated the Gulf Coast in 2005. The aftermath has required significant government intervention, with recovery efforts ongoing and political leaders calling for legislative action to address the needs of affected communities. Furthermore, the storm has resulted in substantial power outages affecting millions, showcasing the extensive reach of its destruction.
In conclusion, Hurricane Helene has resulted in a tragic loss of life and extensive devastation across several states, prompting a significant governmental response and recovery efforts. The deployment of active-duty soldiers aims to assist the affected populations, while bipartisan political action seeks to provide necessary resources and support to address the widespread impact of this historic storm. It is evident that ongoing efforts will be required to aid recovery and rebuild communities in the wake of this disaster.
Original Source: abc11.com
