Hurricane Helene’s Death Toll Reaches 189, Marking It the Deadliest Storm Since Katrina

The confirmed death toll from Hurricane Helene has risen to at least 189 people, making it the deadliest hurricane since Katrina. The storm caused catastrophic flooding, particularly in Florida and surrounding states. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with over 1.2 million individuals still without power. President Biden has deployed active-duty soldiers to assist with relief operations, while Congress is urged to convene to address the destruction inflicted by the storm.

The death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically increased to a minimum of 189 individuals as of Wednesday evening, according to reports from The Associated Press, marking it as the deadliest hurricane to impact the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane has unleashed devastating storm surges, wind destruction, and inland flooding, severely affecting various neighborhoods and resulting in the stranding of residents as well as widespread home destruction across several states including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. As recovery efforts progress throughout the Southeastern United States, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the affected regions on Wednesday to assess the damage and to continue searching for those who are still missing. President Biden assured the affected residents, stating, “I am here to say the United States — the nation — has your back. We are not leaving until you are back on your feet completely.” Hurricane Helene, which made a historic landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, is recorded as the strongest storm to ever impact that area. Recovery operations are still ongoing, with over 1.2 million customers currently without power in southern states. The regions most affected include South Carolina with approximately 484,410 customers, North Carolina with about 343,632 customers, and Georgia with around 354,418 customers without power. President Biden has announced the immediate deployment of up to one thousand active-duty service members to support the North Carolina National Guard’s operations. He stated that these soldiers will assist in providing crucial supplies such as food, water, and medicine to isolated communities, enabling a more efficient response. The task force enlisting these soldiers will comprise units based in Fort Liberty, North Carolina, along with a Forward Support Company. In a letter released on Tuesday, Senate leaders including Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell along with other senators urged Congress to convene following the catastrophic impacts of Hurricane Helene. They recognized the ongoing severity of the disaster and emphasized that the legislative body must act to address the extensive damages experienced by their constituents, advocating for a session in October to ensure timely legislative action by year-end. The senators wrote, “Tens of millions of Americans were impacted by Hurricane Helene, and we look forward to working with you to provide relief to those impacted by this horrific storm.”

Hurricane Helene has caused unprecedented devastation across the Southeastern United States, escalating into the deadliest storm since Hurricane Katrina. The political response involves high-ranking officials assessing the damages and coordinating relief efforts, highlighting the need for both federal assistance and legislative action to support recovery in the impacted states. The widespread power outages and ongoing rescue operations underscore the significance of this natural disaster and its impact on communities.

In conclusion, Hurricane Helene has emerged as one of the most devastating storms in recent U.S. history, leading to significant loss of life and extensive destruction across several states. As recovery efforts continue and federal assistance is mobilized, it is imperative that both governmental and non-governmental entities come together to aid those affected by this disaster. Legislative action will be crucial in addressing the needs of millions who have suffered due to this catastrophic event.

Original Source: abc11.com