A partially submerged truck in the Swannanoa River in the Biltmore Village area in Asheville, NC, on Sunday, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
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As rescue teams continue to respond after Hurricane Helene’s devastation in the Southeast United States and southern Appalachia on Sunday, the death toll continues to rise. Hundreds of people are still missing across the region.
Nearly 100 people died across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia, Associated Press reported. Many people drowned due to not complying with evacuation orders; others were killed in their homes and cars by falling trees and road signs. At least two Georgians died when a tornado swept away their car.
Much of the area remains in darkness and power remains cut off More than 2 million customers in 5 states on Sunday night, nearly three days after Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region.
People are reminded to avoid unnecessary travel and stay away from flood waters because of the risk to their health.
North Carolina
Over the weekend, much of western North Carolina faced communications blackouts, power outages, fuel shortages and no drinking water. Floodwaters remain, hindering travel.
Gov. Roy Cooper’s office said on Sunday afternoon, critical supplies began reaching areas in need, as rescue teams made progress in restoring electricity and cell phone service. movement as well as road repair.
Cooper confirmed at least 11 people died from the storm in the state and hundreds were rescued from floodwaters.
“Many people are isolated because the road is impassable” Cooper he said in the afternoon press conference. “Please know that we are sending resources.”
He said supplies were being transported by plane to the area around the mountain city of Asheville. But those supplies do not include potable water, Buncombe County officials said late Sunday afternoon.
Flood damage following Hurricane Helene is seen Sunday in Asheville, NC
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District officials also said the death toll there had reached 30, with more than 500 people missing as of early afternoon.
“This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response,” Cooper said.
The governor said “rapid progress” is being made by mobile network providers to restore service.
Officials said people should only drink treated and bottled water until the public water system is operational again.
Travel remains limited and dangerous due to mudslides and flooding, with about 280 state-maintained roads remaining closed as of Sunday afternoon, including sections of Interstates 26 and 40.
Officials repeatedly warned non-emergency vehicles to stay off the road so as not to impede cleanup crews, utility repairs and supply runs.
“The best thing you can do for us right now is stay home,” said state Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins.
According to Poweroutage.us, more than 500,000 homes and businesses across the state remained without power Sunday evening.
24 emergency shelters have been opened with a total capacity of 942 residents. Information about the shelter can be found at ready.gov.
Florida
Hours before Helene made landfall Thursday in sparsely populated areas of Florida’s Big Bend region, its 120 mph winds created a storm surge that pushed water levels more than 5 feet higher — at one point. up to 16 feet in some areas – along large swaths of Florida’s west coast.
Helene turned the Tampa Bay region into the state’s deadly epicenter, where the death toll reached nine on Sunday. All deaths occurred in mandatory evacuation areas. Mostly due to rising water or drowning, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office said.
NPR member station WUSF reported that cooling stations and libraries were open to county residents in St. Petersburg, Largo, Madeira Beach, Seminole and Clearwater, where people can find air conditioning and charge their devices.
Pinellas County public schools will reopen Monday, except for three schools that were severely damaged in the storm, WUSF reported.
Georgia
Georgians are require water saving in Augusta after trash and debris in the Savannah River clogged the city’s water filtration system. Emergency management officer said at a press conference Sunday afternoon that water service will be restored within 24 to 48 hours.
Meanwhile, First responders are distributing One case per household until Sunday evening for pickup at the Augusta Municipal Building.
Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson called Helene the worst storm in the city’s history.
Helene entered Georgia early Friday morning with winds gusting up to 100 mph, WABE reported. Officials said at least 17 people died, including one first responder.
Gov. Brian Kemp said the stretch from Augusta to Valdosta was hit particularly hard, where about 115 structures were severely damaged.
South Carolina
People wait in line to pick up gas tanks at a Gas Plus gas station after Hurricane Helene on Sunday in North Augusta, SC
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The state’s death toll was highest in Spartanburg County, where at least five people died, South Carolina Public Radio reported.
Power outages were widespread in the western half of the state. In Greenville County, the state’s most populous county, more than 200,000 people were without power Sunday night.
Tennessee
Unicoi County officials said 73 people remained unaccounted for as of Sunday afternoon. No deaths have been confirmed, a spokesperson for the Incident Management Team said said at a press conference.
The county saw perhaps its most dramatic rescue from Helene’s wrath after rising floodwaters killed more than 50 people stuck on the roof of a small hospital in Erwinin east Tennessee.
The aforementioned Erwin utility Sunday evening 533 of their 5,195 water customers had no water.
A Unicoi County Schools official said during the meeting that it is “unlikely” schools will be back in session by the second week of October, but the district is working to get schools open again as soon as possible.
