Hurricane Helene live updates: Death toll surpasses 230 as rescue efforts continue (original) (raw)
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Tracking Hurricane Helene's destruction
Video by Lilia Geho
Last Updated: October 7, 2024, 11:40 AM
More than 230 people have been killed from Hurricane Helene, which unleashed devastation across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
Helene, which made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region last week as a massive Category 4 hurricane, has become the deadliest mainland hurricane since Katrina in 2005.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, ABC News' "Good Morning America" is set to provide five days of special coverage titled " Southeast Strong: Help After Helene" (#SoutheastStrongABC), spotlighting communities across the Southeast impacted by Hurricane Helene and the urgent efforts to help them recover.
'Your nation has your back,' Joe and Jill Biden tell those in Helene's deadly path
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden in a video message on Monday told those affected by Hurricane Helene that "we grieve with you” and "the nation has your back."
The Bidens said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was working to help those in need across several states.
"FEMA is knocking on doors to sign up survivors for direct and immediate financial aid, because many of them need it now," the president said. "And I've directed my team to stay there 24/7 with you, until this job is done."
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Exclusive: President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden shared words of hope to those impacted by Hurricane Helene, saying, "there's nothing we can't do if we do it together."
The storm made landfall in Florida last week as a massive Category 4 hurricane. As it moved through the southeastern United States it killed some 230 people, The Associated Press reported, with hundreds of others still unaccounted for.
The storm, which was the deadliest mainland hurricane since Katrina in 2005, churned through Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee and Alabama.
Officials say primary search of Buncombe County nearly complete
Officials in Buncombe County, North Carolina, said Sunday their primary search is 90% complete.
At a news conference, officials said they are using K-9 units as they search piles of debris for victims in the search and recovery operation. Fourteen urban search and rescue teams, including eight federal, are actively searching the area, officials said.
Most of the roads -- an estimated 90% -- are open to emergency vehicles, authorities said at the briefing.
The Army Corps of Engineers is helping to work on the damaged water infrastructure along with 160 city water employees in Asheville, and four contractors, according to officials.
-ABC News' Bill Hutchinson
Helene death toll climbs past 230, AP reports
The death toll from Hurricane Helene inched past 230 people on Saturday, The Associated Press reported.
The grim task of recovering bodies continued more than a week after the monster storm ravaged the southeast, killing people in six states.
Allison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images
An upside-down car covered by pieces of tree is left on the side of a road in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Burnsville, North Carolina, on October 5, 2024.
The number of deaths stood at 225 on Friday; two more were recorded in South Carolina the following day.
It was still unclear how many people were unaccounted for or missing, and the toll could rise even higher.
-ABC News’ Victoria Arancio
Biden deploys 500 more troops to help North Carolina recovery efforts
President Joe Biden has ordered the deployment of 500 more troops to western North Carolina to aid in Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, he announced in a statement Sunday.
Earlier this week, Biden ordered 1,000 active-duty service members to be deployed to the area. According to the White House statement, the Biden administration has sent more than $137 million in federal funding to aid in recovery efforts, "with more to come."
"With a total of 1,500 troops now supplementing a robust on-the-ground effort -- including more than 6,100 National Guardsmen and more than 7,000 Federal personnel -- my Administration is sparing no resource to support families as they begin their road to rebuilding," Biden said.
According to Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, these soldiers are working with FEMA, the National Guard and state officials to support North Carolina by helping distribute commodities and clearing emergency routes.
Officials describe 'biblical devastation' in Buncombe County
Buncombe County, North Carolina, officials described "biblical devastation" as the storm resulted in multiple fatalities and at least 60 people unaccounted for.
Search and rescue continues in Asheville and in the county, and the call level for emergency services remains high, Ryan Cole, Buncombe County's assistant emergency services director said.
Over 150 rescues were performed in the county, officials said.
The county remains without water, power and cell services. Some rivers are receding, but the threat of devastating landslides continues, as the ground remains saturated, Cole said.
A boil water advisory remains in place for those who still have access to water, officials said.
-ABC News' Victoria Arancio