Hurricane Helene, the strongest hurricane on record to hit Florida's Big Bend region, has caused widespread devastation across the Southeast. The storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, killing at least 95 people across six countries and leaving millions without power. North Carolina has been particularly hard hit, with at least 36 deaths reported and numerous missing persons. South Carolina has suffered 25 fatalities, including two firefighters, while Georgia has seen 17 deaths, two of which were caused by a tornado. Florida has reported 11 deaths, with several drownings in Pinellas County. Virginia and Tennessee have each recorded two and four deaths, respectively.
The storm has led to significant infrastructure damage, with hundreds of roads closed in the Carolinas, hindering essential water deliveries. Over 2.1 million power customers remain without electricity in the affected states. President Joe Biden has been briefed on recovery efforts and is set to visit the impacted areas. Former President Donald Trump has also expressed condolences.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp described the scene as resembling a warzone, with numerous casualties, including a mother and her infant twin boys. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has noted the extensive damage to homes, with many communities affected by previous hurricanes also impacted by Helene.
The federal government has declared a public health emergency in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. The storm has brought record-breaking rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 14 inches. Additional rain is expected, which may lead to further runoff due to saturated soils. The National Weather Service has warned that while the storm has transitioned into a post-tropical cyclone, the threat of rain continues.
In response to the crisis, the federal government has deployed personnel to assess the impact on healthcare facilities and has positioned medical task forces for support. The President has approved disaster declarations for the affected states, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has activated disaster roaming on all networks to aid communication.
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