MENA Newswire News Desk: At least 63 people have been confirmed dead, and millions remain without power as Hurricane Helene battered the southeastern United States, leaving widespread devastation in its wake. The storm, one of the most powerful to ever hit the region, caused significant destruction across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. In North Carolina, over 400 roads remain impassable, with the mountainous town of Asheville largely isolated due to extensive flooding.
Emergency services are airlifting essential supplies to the stranded population. Governor Roy Cooper noted that state authorities are coordinating massive relief efforts, including air rescues and waterborne evacuations. Rescue operations have intensified, with first responders using boats, helicopters, and specialized vehicles to reach those trapped in rising floodwaters. Notably, in Tennessee, nearly 50 hospital workers and patients had to seek refuge on the roof of a hospital, awaiting emergency evacuation.
Helene made landfall late Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend, the hardest-hit region. The storm surged into Georgia and the Carolinas, maintaining hurricane strength for several hours before weakening. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Helene’s intensity was unprecedented in Florida’s recorded history. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported that storm surges reached over 15 feet (4.5 meters) in certain areas along the Florida coastline.
These surges, driven by high winds pushing ocean water inland, were responsible for much of the coastal flooding and damage. Rescue and recovery efforts are ongoing as authorities work around the clock to assess the full extent of the damage. With power outages affecting millions, restoration is expected to take days or even weeks in some of the hardest-hit areas.