Category: Toll

Hurricane Helene Death Toll Rises To 120, As Rescue Missions Battle Major Flooding

ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 29: Flood damage is strewn across a road in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 29, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. According to reports, more than 60 people have been killed across the South due to the storm, and millions have been left without power. North Carolina has been approved for a Federal Major Disaster Declaration. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
Flood damage is strewn across a road in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 29, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

OAN Staff Blake Wolf
12:56 PM – Monday, September 30, 2024

SEE: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/hurricane-helene-death-toll-rises-to-120-as-rescue-missions-battle-major-flooding/; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

At least 120 people have now been killed across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

The tragic circumstances were prompted by catastrophic flooding, leaving residents stranded while causing widespread damage to homes, businesses and other critical infrastructure.

The western region of North Carolina has been hit especially hard as a result of the hurricane, causing disastrous levels of flooding, leaving hundreds of roads and bridges destroyed. Flood levels have also made it extremely difficult for rescue crews to deliver food, water, and fuel to impacted residents.

Additionally, dozens of confirmed deaths, along with hundreds who have been unaccounted for, have forced North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D-N.C.) to predict that the death toll will continue to rise as rescuers venture further into isolated areas.

The large majority of routes into Asheville, a city of nearly 100,000, have been “completely blocked or washed away.” The city’s water system has also suffered severe damage.

Unsettling video footage of the flooding shows houses floating downstream, revealing widespread destruction.

Meanwhile, some residents are working together to survive, sharing food supply and water while comforting each other throughout this extremely difficult time.

“That’s the blessing so far in this,” said resident Sommerville Johnston, who spoke with reporters. Johnston explained that she planned on making a venison stew “before it goes bad,” as she has been without power since Friday. “Just bring your bowl and spoon,” she said with a smile.

Hurricane Helene’s most noticeable destruction occurred on Thursday as it hit Florida and evolved into a Category 4 hurricane. The storm made its way through Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials announced that they were sheltering over 1,000 people, as well as the continued deployment of dozens of search and rescue teams operating in flooded northwestern zones within North Carolina.

Over 100,000 pounds of supplies have been brought in from FEMA to provide emergency supplies to residents in need.

North Carolina Air National Guard hauls over 100,000 pounds of supplies from the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a C17 to Western North Carolina as a part of Tropical Storm #Helene support. pic.twitter.com/QYa1UA2ASa
Additionally, the White House announced that President Joe Biden has approved disaster funds for residents impacted, which includes “upfront funds” for emergency supplies, funds for “storm-related damage to homes,” and assistance funds for temporary housing.

President Biden has also pledged to travel to the impacted communities, “as soon as it will not disrupt emergency response operations.”

“As president, I’ve heard dozens of stories from survivors about… How it feels to be left with nothing, and to not even know where to begin to get back on track. "I am here to tell every single survivor in these impacted areas that we are here for you as long as it takes,” Biden said.

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Hurricane Helene Death Toll Rises To Over 50, Billions Of Dollars In Damages Caused

The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024, in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Approximately six feet of debris piled on the bridge from Lake Lure to Chimney Rock, blocking access. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)
The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina, after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene on September 28, 2024, in Lake Lure, North Carolina. Approximately six feet of debris piled on the bridge from Lake Lure to Chimney Rock, blocking access. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

OAN Staff Abril Elfi
12:32 PM – Saturday, September 28, 2024

SEE: https://www.oann.com/newsroom/hurricane-helene-death-toll-rises-to-over-50-billions-of-dollars-in-damages-caused/; republished below in full, unedited, for informational, educational, & research purposes:

Hurricane Helene has caused at least 52 deaths, billions of dollars in damage, and left more than 3 million people without power. 

With winds of 140 mph, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region late on Thursday. It made its way through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, uprooting trees, shattering homes, forcing creeks and rivers over their banks, and stressing dams.

Garrison Douglas, a spokesperson for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R-Ga.), announced that at least 15 people were killed in the Peach State. WRDW-TV reported that among those deaths were a four-year-old girl, a seven-year-old boy, and a first responder.

In South Carolina, 17 people died as a result of the storm. Two of the individuals were firefighters on duty.

Countless others have died in North Carolina and in Florida.

Most of the reported deaths have occurred from falling trees or are due to individuals drowning in the water.

The storm caused catastrophic damage, submerging several homes up the roofline and destroying boats. Emergency responders were having difficulties rescuing stranded individuals due to damaged trees, power lines and other debris.

In the meantime, nearly four million people lost electricity from Florida all the way up the east coast to Virginia.

Over 100 people have been rescued from the rising waters, and numerous landslides have been reported during the “fierce storm,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D-N.C.) said Friday.

“People in western North Carolina should consider all roads closed unless they are seeking higher ground,” he said.

Flash flood emergencies are currently in effect in five states: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

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