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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: September 30, 2024, 1:45 AM
Video by Lilia Geho
Last Updated: September 30, 2024, 1:45 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.

Sep 30, 2024 1:45 AM

Gov. DeSantis says power restored to all but 111K in Florida

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis shared a major update on power restoration progress in the state on Sunday.

DeSantis said a post on X that most customers who lost power after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend area last week, have had their electricity restored.

The governor said power was back for 2.3 million customers, and 99% of the state has power.

He added that power remains out for 111,000 customers.


Sep 30, 2024 12:01 AM

Biden intends to visit hurricane zone this week

President Joe Biden spent his Sunday evening receiving briefings on the damage from Hurricane Helene, and speaking to local officials from the impacted areas.

In a statement, the White House said Biden intends to travel to the impacted areas this week, "as soon as it will not disrupt emergency operations."

PHOTO: A tattered American flag hangs on a rope on a now closed road in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Jena, Fla., Sept. 29, 2024.
Gerald Herbert/AP
A tattered American flag hangs on a rope on a now closed road in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Jena, Fla., Sept. 29, 2024.
Gerald Herbert/AP

Additionally, Biden spoke by phone Sunday with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Valdosta, Georgia, Mayor Scott Matheson and Taylor County, Florida, emergency management director John Louk, according to the White House.

The president also reached out to additional officials across North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina.

"In each conversation, the President received updates on response and recovery efforts, and he shared how the Biden-Administration will continue providing support to impacted communities – for as long as it takes," the White House said in the statement.

-ABC News' Sarah Kolinovsky


Sep 29, 2024 9:13 PM

Helene death toll rises to 84

Buncombe County, North Carolina, which includes the city of Asheville, reported Sunday evening that 30 people had been killed due to the storm.

Eighty-four people have died across Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia, according to the Associated Press.

Tennessee has not reported any storm-related deaths, but as ABC News previously reported, Unicoi County officials say at least 73 people remain unaccounted for.

-ABC News' Jason Volack



Sep 29, 2024 8:51 PM

Trump to visit Valdosta, Georgia

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to receive a briefing on the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, help distribute supplies and deliver remarks, his campaign said.

PHOTO: A view of storm damage at Chez What in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Valdosta, Ga., Sept. 28, 2024.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images
A view of storm damage at Chez What in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Valdosta, Ga., Sept. 28, 2024.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images
PHOTO: A damaged 100-year-old home is seen after an Oak tree landed on the home after Hurricane Helene moved through the area, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga.
Mike Stewart/AP
A damaged 100-year-old home is seen after an Oak tree landed on the home after Hurricane Helene moved through the area, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga.
Mike Stewart/AP

President Joe Biden said Sunday that the photographs showing Hurricane Helene's damage are "stunning."

When asked by reporters about his message to the victims, Biden said, "It's tragic."

PHOTO: Amber Bertrand of Williston, hugs Tina DiLibero goodbye after Bertrand helped salvage some of DiLibero's belongings in the wake of Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Fla., Sept. 28, 2024.
Kathleen Flynn/Reuters
Amber Bertrand of Williston, hugs Tina DiLibero goodbye after Bertrand helped salvage some of DiLibero's belongings in the wake of Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Fla., Sept. 28, 2024.
Kathleen Flynn/Reuters

"My FEMA advisor is on the ground in Florida right now. … We're working hard," Biden said.

Asked by ABC News if there are more resources the federal government could be providing, Biden responded, "No, we've given them. We have pre-planned a significant amount, even though they didn't ask for it yet -- hadn't asked for it yet."

-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart


Sep 30, 2024 8:26 PM

Storm 'unprecedented' for western North Carolina

Helene is "an unprecedented storm" for western North Carolina, requiring an "unprecedented response," North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Monday.

"We’re dealing with a situation that is unlike anybody’s ever seen in western North Carolina," he said.

PHOTO: Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.
Mike Stewart/AP
Debris is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Sept. 30, 2024, in Asheville, N.C.
Mike Stewart/AP

The damage is "extensive and devastating" and is "going to require significant resources, both in the short-term and the long-term," the governor said.

Ninety-two rescue teams are out conducting search and rescues right now, Cooper said.

More than 300 roads are closed and some bridges have been destroyed, officials said.

PHOTO: A drone view shows a damaged area, following the passing of Hurricane Helene, in Asheville, N.C., Sept.  29, 2024.
Marco Bello/Reuters
A drone view shows a damaged area, following the passing of Hurricane Helene, in Asheville, N.C., Sept. 29, 2024.
Marco Bello/Reuters

Over 7,000 North Carolina residents have registered for FEMA individual assistance and that money is already flowing in, according to Will Ray, director of North Carolina Emergency Management.

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell promised that the agency will "be here as long as it takes to finish this response and continue through the recovery."

"We have the resources here in North Carolina to help," Criswell said. "We will continue to send additional resources in."


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