North Carolina communities remain isolated one week after Helene made deadly trek across Southeast
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.
Rescue, recovery efforts continue across Southeast one week after Helene
Rescue and recovery operations are continuing across the Southeast on Thursday one week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and decimated communities across the region. FOX Weather Meteorologist Jane Minar was in Valle Crucis, North Carolina, with the latest on the ongoing disaster.
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – It’s been one week since Hurricane Helene made landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast, decimating communities across the Southeast and leaving more than 190 people dead in six states.
Life-saving aid continues to flow into regions that were hit hard by the deadly storm, and President Joe Biden vowed to provide resources to aid in the recovery operations as he directed the Department of Defense to deploy 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the delivery of essential food, water and other commodities to those who need it most.
HERE'S HOW YOU CAN HELP HURRICANE HELENE RELIEF EFFORTS
![BAT CAVE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 2: Members of Leland Fire Rescue coordinate with Bat Cave leaders in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on October 1, 2024 near Bat Cave, North Carolina. The death toll has topped 180 people across the southeastern U.S. due to the storm, according to published reports, which made landfall as a category 4 storm on Thursday. Millions are without power and the federal government has declared major disasters in areas of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources for those states, according to the reports. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)]()
Image 1 of 31BAT CAVE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 2: Members of Leland Fire Rescue coordinate with Bat Cave leaders in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on October 1, 2024 near Bat Cave, North Carolina. The death toll has topped 180 people across the southeastern U.S. due to the storm, according to published reports, which made landfall as a category 4 storm on Thursday. Millions are without power and the federal government has declared major disasters in areas of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources for those states, according to the reports. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) ( )
![BAT CAVE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 2: Men with chainsaws walk paste a helicopter on a bridge in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on October 1, 2024 near Bat Cave, North Carolina. The death toll has topped 180 people across the southeastern U.S. due to the storm, according to published reports, which made landfall as a category 4 storm on Thursday. Millions are without power and the federal government has declared major disasters in areas of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources for those states, according to the reports. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)]()
Image 2 of 31BAT CAVE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 2: Men with chainsaws walk paste a helicopter on a bridge in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on October 1, 2024 near Bat Cave, North Carolina. The death toll has topped 180 people across the southeastern U.S. due to the storm, according to published reports, which made landfall as a category 4 storm on Thursday. Millions are without power and the federal government has declared major disasters in areas of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources for those states, according to the reports. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) ( )
![BAT CAVE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 2: People organize food for residents at the Bat Cave Fire Department in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on October 1, 2024 near Bat Cave, North Carolina. The death toll has topped 180 people across the southeastern U.S. due to the storm, according to published reports, which made landfall as a category 4 storm on Thursday. Millions are without power and the federal government has declared major disasters in areas of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources for those states, according to the reports. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)]()
Image 3 of 31BAT CAVE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 2: People organize food for residents at the Bat Cave Fire Department in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on October 1, 2024 near Bat Cave, North Carolina. The death toll has topped 180 people across the southeastern U.S. due to the storm, according to published reports, which made landfall as a category 4 storm on Thursday. Millions are without power and the federal government has declared major disasters in areas of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources for those states, according to the reports. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) ( )
![BAT CAVE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 2: Men with chainsaws walk along Route 9 in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on October 1, 2024 near Bat Cave, North Carolina. The death toll has topped 180 people across the southeastern U.S. due to the storm, according to published reports, which made landfall as a category 4 storm on Thursday. Millions are without power and the federal government has declared major disasters in areas of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources for those states, according to the reports. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)]()
Image 4 of 31BAT CAVE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 2: Men with chainsaws walk along Route 9 in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on October 1, 2024 near Bat Cave, North Carolina. The death toll has topped 180 people across the southeastern U.S. due to the storm, according to published reports, which made landfall as a category 4 storm on Thursday. Millions are without power and the federal government has declared major disasters in areas of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources for those states, according to the reports. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images) ( )
![A helicopter flies above a damaged structure in downtown Chimney Rock, North Carolina, October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. The death toll from powerful storm Helene, which battered the southeastern United States, has climbed to more than 155, authorities said on October 1, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris surveyed the damage. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 5 of 31A helicopter flies above a damaged structure in downtown Chimney Rock, North Carolina, October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. The death toll from powerful storm Helene, which battered the southeastern United States, has climbed to more than 155, authorities said on October 1, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris surveyed the damage. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![The remnants of a home are seen in Lake Lure, North Carolina, October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. The death toll from powerful storm Helene, which battered the southeastern United States, has climbed to more than 155, authorities said on October 1, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris surveyed the damage. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 6 of 31The remnants of a home are seen in Lake Lure, North Carolina, October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. The death toll from powerful storm Helene, which battered the southeastern United States, has climbed to more than 155, authorities said on October 1, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris surveyed the damage. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![TOPSHOT - A local police car is seen half engulfed in mud, in a flooded area of Lake Lure, North Carolina, October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. The death toll from powerful storm Helene, which battered the southeastern United States, has climbed to at least 155, authorities said on October 1, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris prepared to survey the damage. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)]()
Image 7 of 31TOPSHOT - A local police car is seen half engulfed in mud, in a flooded area of Lake Lure, North Carolina, October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. The death toll from powerful storm Helene, which battered the southeastern United States, has climbed to at least 155, authorities said on October 1, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris prepared to survey the damage. (Photo by Allison Joyce / AFP) (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images) ( )
![SWANNANOA, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 02: Emily Ogburn, right, hugs her friend Cody Klein after he brought her a meal on October 2, 2024 in Swannanoa, North Carolina. Ogburn's home was spared and she spent the morning of the storm helping and comforting neighbors who had found shelter on a neighbors porch. According to reports, at least 160 people have been killed across the southeastern U.S., and more than a million are without power due to the storm. The White House has approved disaster declarations in multiple southern states, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)]()
Image 8 of 31SWANNANOA, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 02: Emily Ogburn, right, hugs her friend Cody Klein after he brought her a meal on October 2, 2024 in Swannanoa, North Carolina. Ogburn's home was spared and she spent the morning of the storm helping and comforting neighbors who had found shelter on a neighbors porch. According to reports, at least 160 people have been killed across the southeastern U.S., and more than a million are without power due to the storm. The White House has approved disaster declarations in multiple southern states, freeing up federal emergency management money and resources. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images) ( )
![Hurricane Helene impacts in North Carolina]()
Image 9 of 31Crews work downtown Chimney Rock, North Carolina, October 2, 2024, after the passage of Hurricane Helene. The death toll from powerful storm Helene, which battered the southeastern United States, has climbed to at least 155, authorities said on October 1, as President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris prepared to survey the damage. (Photo by ALLISON JOYCE/AFP via Getty Images)
![President Biden tours North Carolina via air on Wednesday, October 2.]()
Image 10 of 31President Biden tours North Carolina via air on Wednesday, October 2. ( )
![Collapsed bridges on Interstate 26 in unicoi County, Tennessee.]()
Image 11 of 31Collapsed bridges on Interstate 26 in unicoi County, Tennessee. (101.7 KNOXVILLE, TN/NANCY BARGER)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 12 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 13 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 14 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 15 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 16 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 17 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 18 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 19 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 20 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 21 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 22 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 23 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 24 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 25 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 26 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 27 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 28 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 29 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 30 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
![Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina.]()
Image 31 of 31Aftermath from Hurricane Helene flooding in Asheville, North Carolina. (Matty Media LLC)
"I don’t have to tell this group that Hurricane Helene has been a storm of historic proportions," Biden told emergency managers in North Carolina on Wednesday. "The damage is still being assessed, but many people are still unaccounted for. So, I’m here to say, the United States – the nation – has your back."
Search and rescue operations are ongoing in areas of western North Carolina that were isolated after catastrophic flooding destroyed hundreds of roads and bridges, cutting off escape routes and ways to get essential supplies to those who remain trapped.
As access is gained to areas that have not been reachable since the hurricane, more victims are being located.
WATCH: I-40 MUDSLIDE TRIGGERED BY HELENE NEARLY TAKES OUT COUPLE IN BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS
Satellite imagery before and after Hurricane Helene
Satellite images from Maxar Technologies show the extent of flooding in Old Fort and Spruce Pine in western North Carolina.
Deaths have been reported in six states – Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee. And as more areas are searched for the first time, that number is expected to rise.
North Carolina has so far seen the most deaths, with a majority of the statewide number coming from one area – Buncombe County. The Asheville area within the county was devastated by the flooding, with raging rapids destroying homes, businesses and other critical infrastructure across the region.
Harrowing stories of tragedy and triumph are starting to emerge from that area as work to clear debris and make repairs continues.
HISTORIC BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY CLOSED IN NORTH CAROLINA DUE TO HELENE'S DEVASTATION
Micah Drye
(Meghan Drye / FOX Weather)
An Asheville mother told FOX Weather her heartbreaking story of the loss of her 7-year-old son who was swept away by the raging floodwaters. She also lost her parents.
Another woman told FOX Weather about her experience surviving Hurricane Helene as floodwaters surrounded and entered her camper while she was camping, calling the experience "horrific."
COUPLE SURVIVES DANGEROUS CLIMB ESCAPING CHIMNEY ROCK FLOODING: ‘THANKFUL TO BE ALIVE’
Pets saved by people standing in chest deep Helene flood
A group of neighbors in Hendersonville, North Carolina, stood in chest-deep floodwater from Helene to save cats and dogs from drowning. (Courtesy: David Rhode via Storyful)
In Avery County, a harrowing video provided by Vlado Novakovic showed his home in Newland being swept away by powerful currents on Friday.
Others narrowly escaped the wrath of the flash floods. A couple in Lake Luna had to run for it when floodwaters started pouring into town.
Watch: Helene floods Impact Plastics plant in Erwin, Tennessee
Impact Plastics, a Unicoi County, Tennessee, plastics factory, is under investigation following the tragic deaths of several employees during the Hurricane Helene flood.
To the east in Tennessee, an investigation has been launched into allegations involving Impact Plastics in Erwin after numerous employees were swept away by floodwaters last week.
At least two people died, and five others remain missing.
Videos from the area captured eerie images of a casket floating down a river during the historic flooding in Erwin.
DRONE VIDEO SHOWS HISTORIC BILTMORE VILLAGE UNDER WATER AFTER FLOODING IN NORTH CAROLINA
A casket found in debris in Erwin, Tennessee after Helene's deadly flooding.
(Karen Tipton)
Dozens of people were rescued from the roof of a hospital in town as water surrounded the facility, and there were even fears that a dam in Greenville would fail.
Destruction was also reported further south in Georgia.
At least 25 people were killed in Georgia because of Helene, and Atlanta saw its first-ever Flash Flood Emergency due to the record rainfall.
WATCH AS MARSHALL HOME SWEPT AWAY BY HELENE FLOODING IN NORTH CAROLINA: 'A WHOLE HOUSE'
FOX Weather's Bob Van Dillen rescues woman from Atlanta floodwater
FOX Weather Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen bravely rescued a woman who had driven into floodwaters in Atlanta early Friday morning. Carrying her on his back through chest-deep water, watch as Van Dillen, a towering 6-foot, 1-inch man, demonstrated incredible strength and courage during Hurricane Helene coverage.
And as the rain fell and water rose, FOX Weather Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen found himself in the middle of a harrowing rescue operation.
While covering the storm, Van Dillen, who is from the area, heard a woman’s desperate cries for help along Peach Tree Creek. She had driven into floodwaters and was trapped in her car before sunrise. Without hesitation, he waded into the chest-deep water, battling the strong currents to reach the woman. He pulled her to safety, carrying her on his back through the floodwaters to dry land.
Widespread damage was also found in cities like Augusta and Valdosta.
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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.
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.
Historical flooding in western North Carolina in 1916
(NOAA)
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.
Helene has exceeded the devastation caused by the ‘Great Flood of 1916’ in North Carolina.