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Hurricane Helene updates: Death toll surpasses 230 as rescue efforts continue

PHOTO: An aerial view of flood damage along the French Broad River in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Oct. 2, 2024, in Asheville, North Carolina.
4:37
Mario Tama/Getty Images
Tracking Hurricane Helene's destruction
By Emily Shapiro, David Brennan, Leah Sarnoff, Julia Reinstein, Meredith Deliso, Ivan Pereira
Last Updated: October 7, 2024, 11:40 AM
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 as a massive Category 4 hurricane, has become the deadliest mainland hurricane since Katrina in 2005.

Latest headlines:

  • 'Your nation has your back,' Joe and Jill Biden tell those in Helene's deadly path
  • White House counters 'disinformation' in the wake of Hurricane Helene
  • Search and rescue efforts still underway in North Carolina
  • DOT announces $100M in emergency relief funds for North Carolina
  • Hundreds of thousands still without power
Here's how the news is developing.

Oct 07, 2024 11:40 AM

'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."

VIDEO: President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden’s message after Helene: ‘Your nation has your back’
1:37
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.

MORE: The Bidens said the Federal Emergency Management Agency was working to help those in need

Oct 06, 2024 9:45 PM

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


Oct 06, 2024 6:59 PM

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.

PHOTO: 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.
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.
Allison Joyce/AFP via Getty Images

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



Oct 06, 2024 7:40 PM

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.


Sep 27, 2024 6:35 PM

Latest forecast: Southeast faces catastrophic flooding

Helene has been downgraded to a tropical depression but it is still bringing catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flooding to the Southeast. People should be prepared for flash flooding, river flooding and landslides.

PHOTO: The streets are flooded near Peachtree Creek after hurricane Helene brought in heavy rains over night on Sept. 27, 2024 in Atlanta.
Megan Varner/Getty Images
The streets are flooded near Peachtree Creek after hurricane Helene brought in heavy rains over night on Sept. 27, 2024 in Atlanta.
Megan Varner/Getty Images

Busick, in western North Carolina, recorded nearly 30 inches of rain this week from Helene and a previous storm.

Meanwhile, water levels are receding along Florida’s Gulf Coast after Hurricane Helene’s intense storm surge. Water levels reached more than 15 feet above ground level in some areas.

As #HurricaneHelene continues, the AquaFence at TGH stands firm. The water-impermeable barrier is designed to withstand storm surge up to 15 feet. It has worked through multiple rain events to prevent storm waters from impacting hospital operations. #WeAreTGH #StormWatch pic.twitter.com/papsd6oPg2

— Tampa General Hospital (@TGHCares) September 27, 2024

Helene is expected to continue to weaken and stall over the Tennessee and Ohio valleys this weekend, bringing more heavy rain, gusty winds and flooding.

PHOTO: Television reporter Ryan Young helps a Peachtree Park Apartments resident with her dog after flood waters from Peachtree Creek inundated the complex in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene in Atlanta, Georgia, Sept. 27, 2024.
Erik S Lesser/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Television reporter Ryan Young helps a Peachtree Park Apartments resident with her dog after flood waters from Peachtree Creek inundated the complex in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene in Atlanta, Georgia, Sept. 27, 2024.
Erik S Lesser/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

A flood watch is in effect from Missouri to Virginia. Up to 6 inches of rain is possible in some areas.

A tornado watch is also in effect for parts of North Carolina and Virginia. Several tornadoes have already been reported in North Carolina.


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