Increase in death toll after the passage of Hurricane Helena in the United States confirmed

• Confirmed Increase in Death Toll After Hurricane Helene
• What Damage Did the Natural Phenomenon Leave Behind?
• Rescue Efforts Continue in the U.S.

Hurricane Helene, with an unprecedented fury, left a trail of destruction across a vast area of the United States.

It affected regions from the coast of Florida to the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.

The intense winds, torrential rains, and massive size of the storm combined to create a catastrophic scenario, claiming the lives of at least 64 people.

It also destroyed homes, infrastructure, and natural environments, according to The Associated Press.

DEATH TOLL RISES AFTER HURRICANE HELENE HITS

The storm made landfall Thursday night on Florida’s Big Bend coast, a mostly uninhabited area of marshes and pine forests.

However, its effects were felt hundreds of miles away.

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The National Hurricane Center described Helene as a major hurricane, with a width of over 560 kilometers and winds reaching 225 kilometers per hour at its peak.

This phenomenon generated a devastating storm surge and torrential rains, affecting millions of people.

Which States Were Affected?

In Tampa, the bay area was one of the first to suffer Hurricane Helene’s impact when a massive storm surge submerged entire neighborhoods, reaching even the attics of houses.

Thursday night, the eye of the storm made landfall in Big Bend, an area already affected by other hurricanes in recent months.

Helene quickly moved toward Georgia, where the state faced additional tragedy.

A 27-year-old mother and her newborn twins died when trees fell on their home.

What Happened in Atlanta and North Carolina after Hurricane Helene?

Additionally, Atlanta recorded more than 28 centimeters of rain in just 48 hours, a historic record since precipitation measurements began in the city in 1878.

The streets turned into rivers, and dozens of cars were completely submerged, forcing rescue teams to intervene urgently.

As hurricane Helene moved north, communities in North Carolina were cut off due to flooding and landslides.

The city of Asheville, known for its mountainous location, was submerged, and roads became impassable.

What is the Situation in South Carolina?

Images shared on social media showed scenes of completely flooded streets and neighborhoods.

In South Carolina, hurricane Helene caused massive tree falls, leaving more than 40% of the state without power.

The storm also triggered tornadoes in several areas, exacerbating the damage.

In Saluda County, two firefighters died when a tree fell on their truck while responding to an emergency call.

How Did Rescues Occur During and After Hurricane Helene?

Meanwhile, in Aiken County, an elderly couple lost their lives when their home was crushed by a tree.

In Tennessee, the rains caused several rivers to overflow, threatening to breach dams and leading to mass evacuations, according to AP.

A hospital near the North Carolina border quickly flooded, forcing the rescue of more than 50 people, including patients, by helicopter.

Unicoi County Hospital attempted to evacuate its patients, but the waters were so dangerous that rescue boats were unable to complete the operation.

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