This month, Hurricane Helene devastated the southeastern United States, causing at least 105 deaths and significant property damage, estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. Local authorities warned that the death toll could rise as search and rescue operations continue.
CBS News reported that the hurricane began as a tropical storm in the western Caribbean on Tuesday and landed in Florida on Thursday night. It reached Category 4 strength, with wind speeds of 140 mph (225 km/h), before moving northward through multiple states, including North and South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia.
CBS reported that North Carolina bore the brunt of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, with 46 victims, aged between 4 and 75, losing their lives due to floods or falling trees. South Carolina suffered 26 fatalities, while Georgia and Florida recorded 17 and 13 deaths, respectively. Tennessee and Virginia reported 2 and 1 casualties each.
In a Sunday press conference, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper called the disaster “an unprecedented tragedy requiring an unprecedented response.” He emphasized that search and rescue teams would continue to explore isolated areas, expecting the death toll to rise.
President Joe Biden approved a state of emergency for Florida and four other affected states on Sunday. He described the destruction as “tragic” and pledged robust federal support.
CBS reported that about 2.5 million residents in the affected states experienced power outages. U.S. market research firm Moody’s Analytics estimated Helene’s property damage to be between $15 billion and $26 billion. AccuWeather, an American weather information company, initially projected the damage at $95 billion to $110 billion.
