Hurricane Helene has killed at least 93 people in the United States

The death toll from Hurricane Helene, which wreaked havoc across parts of the eastern and southeastern United States, has risen to at least 93, according to authorities, who continued to search for victims Monday.

In North Carolina, the hardest-hit state, the death toll stands at 37, including 30 in Buncombe County alone. At least 25 people have also died in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, two in Tennessee and one in Virginia, according to a report compiled by AFP from statements by local authorities.

Helene made landfall in northwest Florida on Thursday evening as a category 4 hurricane on a scale of 5, packing winds of 225 km/h.

The hurricane then progressed northward, losing intensity, while leaving a landscape of desolation in its wake.

Outgoing President Joe Biden and White House hopefuls Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have announced they will travel to the area soon.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by Hurricane Helene,” Biden said Saturday, stressing that “the road to recovery will be long.”

“We will support these communities for as long as it takes to ensure they can recover and rebuild,” Democratic candidate Kamala Harris said Sunday at a campaign rally in Las Vegas.

Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is due to travel to Valdosta, a Georgia city hit by the hurricane, on Monday.

– Roads cut –

The material toll is very heavy. “The infrastructure has suffered significant damage to water networks, communications, roads, transportation routes and several homes have been destroyed,” summarized Sunday on CBS Deanne Criswell, of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), specifying that the search for victims continues.

In North Carolina, certain areas remain inaccessible and must be served by helicopter, indicated Governor Roy Cooper.

Four national axes remain cut between North Carolina and Tennessee, according to Kristin White, of the Department of Transportation.

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee had declared federal states of emergency, and more than 800 members of the Federal Disaster Management Agency were deployed.

A flood warning remains in effect for parts of western North Carolina due to the risk of dam failures, National Weather Service Director Ken Graham said.

Some 2.2 million homes are still without power, according to the website poweroutage.us, and thousands of people are being cared for by the Red Cross, according to the organization.

Aerial view of damage around a home after Hurricane Helene hit, in Horseshoe Beach, Florida on September 28, 2024 © AFP – CHANDAN KHANNA

Rescue teams work to restore power and deal with the aftermath of massive flooding that destroyed homes, roads and businesses.

“There are just a few businesses open, with limited supplies. I'm worried about families with children,” said Steven Mauro, a Valdosta resident.

“The main problem is the power,” another resident said, saying people should stay indoors because “the traffic lights are out of order.”

– “A real tragedy” –

A road damaged by Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Florida on September 27, 2024 © AFP – CHANDAN KHANNA

In Cedar Key, an island of 700 people on the west coast of Florida, roofs were torn off and walls were gutted.

“It breaks my heart to see this,” Gabe Doty, a city worker, told AFP. “A lot of houses are gone, the market is gone. The post office is gone. It's a real tragedy and it's going to be hard to rebuild.”

In South Carolina, two firefighters died.

Large areas were destroyed by landslides and intense flooding, as far as Asheville, North Carolina.

An American flag in a house damaged by Hurricane Helene, in Steinhatchee, Florida on September 27, 2024 © AFP – CHANDAN KHANNA

After forming in the Gulf of Mexico, Helene moved over particularly warm waters that could have intensified hurricane.

By warming ocean waters, climate change is making it more likely that storms will intensify rapidly and increasing the risk of more powerful hurricanes, scientists say.

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