Helene death toll surpasses 160 as search for missing in North Carolina continues

Name: Helene devastates parts of Georgia as recovery operations continue
Uploaded: 2024-10-01T08:31:26-04:00
Duration: 2 min 51 s
Description: The damage left behind in Georgia after deadly Hurricane Helene is widespread, and the governor is vowing to get everything cleaned up. FOX 5 Atlanta Reporter Tyler Fingert was in August where cleanup efforts are continuing.

FOX Weather's Robert Ray illustrates the scale of destruction in the town of Swannanoa, North Carolina, after the disastrous flooding caused by Helene.

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'Unbelievable scene': Catastrophic damage seen in Swannanoa

FOX Weather's Robert Ray illustrates the scale of destruction in the town of Swannanoa, North Carolina, after the disastrous flooding caused by Helene.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The death toll from Hurricane Helene continues to climb as rescue efforts persist across the Southeast. Hard-hit regions, including parts of western North Carolina, are receiving aid from various states as emergency crews work to reach isolated communities devastated by catastrophic flooding.

Over 160 people are now confirmed dead in six states – Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. Helene is now the second-deadliest hurricane to strike the mainland U.S. in the last 55 years, topped only by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and the most since Hurricane Camille hit the Gulf Coast in August 1969.

President Joe Biden announced he will travel to the region on Wednesday and is expected to visit Asheville, North Carolina, to get a firsthand look at the devastation. Biden is also expected to visit Florida and Georgia.

HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF EFFORTS

Mom watches son, parents get swept away in Asheville flood

At least 70 people are now confirmed dead in North Carolina, and hundreds of people remain unaccounted for due to the lack of power and communication access. Dozens of those deaths have come in Buncombe County, which is home to the city of Ashville.

Communities in western North Carolina were hit especially hard, with catastrophic flooding destroying hundreds of roads and bridges. Scenes from small towns such as Chimney Rock, Swannanoa and Biltmore Village show entire sections of the region either destroyed or washed away.

Chimney Rock, North Carolina was one of the many places ravaged by Hurricane Helene. After raging floodwaters gushed through the city, the village is left reeling with what is left.

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Debris scattered everywhere after Helene floodwaters devastate Chimney Rock, NC

Chimney Rock, North Carolina was one of the many places ravaged by Hurricane Helene. After raging floodwaters gushed through the city, the village is left reeling with what is left.

Stories of heartbreak and loss fill the close-knit communities as a barrage of devastating images come in, capturing the scale of the destruction caused by what some call "biblical" flooding.

An Asheville mother tearfully recounted how she lost her 7-year-old son and her two parents when the floodwaters overwhelmed her neighborhood, sending her family to the roof of their home as they scrambled for safety.

VIDEO SHOWS CHIMNEY ROCK COMPLETELY DESTROYED AS HELENE UNLEASHES CATASTROPHIC FLOODING ACROSS NORTH CAROLINA

However, the floodwaters eventually broke apart the home, sending all four into the river.

Three members of a North Carolina family, including a 7-year-old boy, died in the disastrous flooding from Helene. Now, the survivors share their story of immense grief and comforting faith.

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'We lost our baby': North Carolina family loses 3 after climbing to roof to escape floods

Three members of a North Carolina family, including a 7-year-old boy, died in the disastrous flooding from Helene. Now, the survivors share their story of immense grief and comforting faith.

"(My son) reached for something past flesh, past human, past anything that even grown adults, I think, would reach for," Meghan Drye said. "My son called out to the one God Almighty. And I think at that moment he was rescued, and he became my hero, and I think all of them carried me through that moment."

In Avery County, a harrowing video provided by Vlado Novakovic showed his home being swept away in Newland by the powerful currents on Friday.

Others narrowly escaped the wrath of the flash floods. A couple in Lake Luna had to run for it when flood waters started pouring into town.

WATCH: CASKET RUSHES BY IN RAGING TENNESSEE FLOODWATER CAUSED BY HELENE

Resources flowing into hard-hit North Carolina

Soldiers assigned to the Connecticut, Maryland and North Carolina National Guard work together to distribute food and water to local first responders in Avery County on Sept 29, 2024. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Leticia Samuels)

(U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Leticia Samuels)

Access to several areas has been cut off, preventing crews from getting much-needed supplies like food, water and fuel to residents.

On Tuesday, a portion of Interstate 40 East out of Buncombe County was reopened, but several locations of the highway remain closed outside the Asheville area, including a section that was washed away near the Tennessee state line.

NEW VIDEO REVEALS BILTMORE VILLAGE DESTRUCTION AFTER HELENE'S CATASTROPHIC FLOODING: ‘IT’S IN RUINS'

"Our emergency responders are continuing to rescue people and rush aid to the mountains," North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said on Tuesday. "The challenges are immense, but our joint response effort has and will continue to be massive."

Dashcam footage shot on Friday morning shows the moment a couple barely escaped a mudslide that came crashing onto an interstate in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. (Courtesy: Alan Keffer via Storyful)

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'Whoa!': Mudslide triggered by Helene nearly takes out couple driving in North Carolina

Dashcam footage shot on Friday morning shows the moment a couple barely escaped a mudslide that came crashing onto an interstate in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. (Courtesy: Alan Keffer via Storyful)

WATCH AS MARSHALL HOME SWEPT AWAY BY HELENE FLOODING IN NORTH CAROLINA: ‘A WHOLE HOUSE’

Cooper activated hundreds of National Guard personnel, and search and rescue teams from as far as Colorado and New Hampshire have descended upon the region to assist.

So far, more than 500 people have been rescued while hundreds of pallets of food and water have been brought in. More than 1,100 people have filled dozens of shelters, and officials say they’re in the process of opening additional facilities to house those with nowhere to go for safety.

The National Guard is working tirelessly in North Carolina to aid in the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. They are transporting over 100,000 pounds of supplies provided by FEMA to support clean-up operations.

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100,000 pounds of relief: NC Air National Guard delivers vital aid to flood-hit Helene

The National Guard is working tirelessly in North Carolina to aid in the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. They are transporting over 100,000 pounds of supplies provided by FEMA to support clean-up operations.

NORTH CAROLINA CELL SERVICE OUTAGE FRUSTRATES STRANDED RESIDENTS AFTER DEADLY HURRICANE HELENE

While repairs to roads and other infrastructure continue, Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said distribution of food and water began Monday afternoon.

"A one-day supply of food and water will be available to households," she said.

People ‘desperate for help’ as tensions rise in North Carolina

Dramatic footage has captured the moment a house was washed away in Newland, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helene brought life-threatening floods to the region. Video filmed by Vlado Novakovic shows floods encroaching on his home last Thursday and his house floating away the next day.

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Dramatic video captures moment house is washed away during Helene floods

Dramatic footage has captured the moment a house was washed away in Newland, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helene brought life-threatening floods to the region. Video filmed by Vlado Novakovic shows floods encroaching on his home last Thursday and his house floating away the next day.

More than 800 Federal Emergency Management Agency staff, along with distribution centers and equipment, have been deployed across the states that were impacted by Helene.

DRONE VIDEO OF HISTORIC BILTMORE VILLAGE UNDERWATER AFTER FLOODING IN NORTH CAROLINA

The shortage of fuel was leading to long lines at gas stations as tensions started to run high.

Local media reported arguments breaking out in the long lines among residents who were no doubt exhausted and running out of options while desperately seeking help. The Sheriff’s Office was considering posting deputies at gas stations to help prevent more arguments.

FLETCHER, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 29: People wait in line for gasoline in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 29, 2024 in Fletcher, North Carolina. At least 90 people have been killed across the southeastern U.S. due to the hurricane, according to published reports, which made landfall as a category 4 storm on Thursday. Millions are without power, according to the reports. The White House declared major disasters in North Carolina and Florida, freeing up federal emergency management money for those areas. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

People wait in line for gasoline in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on September 29, 2024 in Fletcher, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)

(Getty Images)

While crews are trying to repair those roads, helicopters have been able to start dropping supplies to those who remain isolated until routes can be reopened.

"There are helicopters that are very active. We saw those when we came in last night," FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray said. "And yet, there are still people in dire straits in need. It’s a situation right now that is still very, very complicated and fluid."

Aerial footage captured by the North Carolina National Guard provides a dramatic look at the scope of catastrophic flooding caused by the effects of Hurricane Helene when the deadly storm swept across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic after making landfall in Florida last week.

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Watch: Aerial footage captures scope of catastrophic flooding in North Carolina

Aerial footage captured by the North Carolina National Guard provides a dramatic look at the scope of catastrophic flooding caused by the effects of Hurricane Helene when the deadly storm swept across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic after making landfall in Florida last week.

At least 9 dead in Tennessee as help pours in

More than 100 people required rescuing in northeastern Tennessee from Helene’s floods. At least nine people have died, and others remain missing as search efforts continue.

Video shows a casket floating down rushing water in Erwin, Tennessee after historic rainfall caused by Hurricane Helene.

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Casket seen in raging Tennessee flood water from Helene

Video shows a casket floating down rushing water in Erwin, Tennessee after historic rainfall caused by Hurricane Helene.

At Impact Plastics in Erwin, two people died and five others were rescued by a National Guard helicopter crew during the flooding.

Erwin was devastated when the Nolichucky River overwhelmed the town with record high water levels, at one point trapping dozens of patients on the roof of the hospital, and sparking fears of a dam collapse.

EAST TENNESSEE K-9 OFFICER LOST IN HELENE'S HISTORIC FLOODS FOUND AMONG DEAD

"Our community is in a state of shock and grief as we come to terms with the destruction caused by the flood. It's heartbreaking to see the loss of life and the devastation to people's homes and businesses," Erwin resident Karen Tipton told FOX Weather. "The floods have not only caused physical damage, but also emotional and financial damage to our close-knit community."

In Johnson County, crews are working to clear roads packed with thick sludge after Rome Creek surged above 30 feet, flooding the valley.

Knoxville radio personality and business owner Nancy Barger says she is doing whatever she can to help raise money and supplies for those who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene in Tennessee and North Carolina.

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Nancy Barger talks about efforts to help Helene victims

Knoxville radio personality and business owner Nancy Barger says she is doing whatever she can to help raise money and supplies for those who have been impacted by Hurricane Helene in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Small businesses are working to help flood victims by collecting donations and supplies to bring to hard-hit areas.

Georgia sees widespread damage from Helene

The damage left behind in Georgia after deadly Hurricane Helene is widespread, and the governor is vowing to get everything cleaned up. FOX 5 Atlanta Reporter Tyler Fingert was in August where cleanup efforts are continuing.

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Helene devastates parts of Georgia as recovery operations continue

The damage left behind in Georgia after deadly Hurricane Helene is widespread, and the governor is vowing to get everything cleaned up. FOX 5 Atlanta Reporter Tyler Fingert was in August where cleanup efforts are continuing.

At least 25 people were killed in Georgia when Hurricane Helene made its trek across portions of the eastern and central U.S. last week, and cleanup efforts there are well underway.

Atlanta saw its first-ever Flash Flood Emergency due to the record rain across the region, and power is slowly being restored.

The damage in Augusta is widespread, with trees and other debris still lying across roads and on homes and vehicles.

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Dan Murphy hugs his colleague after bringing his canoe to rescue them from their flooded home as the streets are flooded near Peachtree Creek after hurricane Helene brought in heavy rains overnight on September 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday night as a category 4 hurricane in the panhandle of Florida and is working its way north, it is now considered a tropical storm. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

Dan Murphy hugs his colleague after bringing his canoe to rescue them from their flooded home as the streets are flooded near Peachtree Creek after hurricane Helene brought in heavy rains overnight on September 27, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Megan Varner/Getty Images)

"It’s my house," Crystal Watson told FOX 5 Atlanta Reporter Tyler Fingert. "I’ve lived here for my daughter’s entire life."

She said that when Hurricane Helene was impacting the area, four trees went crashing down onto her home, narrowly missing two bedrooms where people were sleeping.

"Just looking at my house, I just feel thankful because we’re all OK," she said. "We’re all OK, we’re able to stay here. We’re able to sleep here at night. And I know that it’s probably a lot worse for other people."

Damage isn’t only localized to Augusta, however.

A car in a flooded street is seen after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 27, 2024. Hurricane Helene weakened on September 27 hours after it made landfall in the US state of Florida, with officials warning the storm remained "extremely dangerous" as it surged inland, leaving flooded roads and homes in its wake. (Photo by Richard PIERRIN / AFP) (Photo by RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP via Getty Images)

A car in a flooded street is seen after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 27, 2024. (Photo by RICHARD PIERRIN/AFP via Getty Images)

On Monday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp got a bird’s-eye view of the devastation.

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"This hurricane, it looks like a 250-mile-wide tornado hit," he said.

Among the dead in Georgia are a 27-year-old mother and her 1-month-old twin boys who died when a tree fell onto their mobile home outside Augusta.

Kemp said he’s working with federal partners to get help to areas that need it most.

"This storm literally spared no one," he said.