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It’s been days since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm. Now, more than 130 people have reportedly died in at least six states, per the Associated Press. Additionally, Helene seemingly wiped some cities off the map while causing chaotic conditions in others.
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Death Tolls Across Cities Impacted By Hurricane Helene
Survivors in places like the mountainous Asheville, North Carolina, have been completely isolated. Damaged roadways, no power or cell phone service, and boil water advisories. There, the death toll has reportedly risen to at least 40, with CNN specifically reporting 56.
ASHEVILLE, USA – SEPTEMBER 30: (Photo by Peter Zay/Anadolu via Getty Images)
The Carolinas’ nearby neighborhood, Georgia, has reportedly lost 25 lives, per Gov. Brian Kemp. Over in Tennessee, the state’s Emergency Management Agency confirmed on Monday that their death toll stands at three. However, that number could likely rise as rescue workers comb through the chaos. Meanwhile, 14 of Tennessee’s state bridges remain closed, while five are totally destroyed by the flooding.
Hospitals In Southeast Cities Are Filling Up Fast
St. Luke’s Hospital in Columbus, North Carolina, has been running using generator power for days. Citing its PR Director Dean Graves, AP reports that the hospital’s functional helipad has allowed the facility to receive air-lifted patients. Graves also shared that the 25 beds in the hospital’s emergency room have been consistently full.
“We’re pretty close to capacity,” Graves said. “But we’re still here and we’re doing the best we can.”
Meanwhile, South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta has also canceled elective surgeries. According to the hospital’s PIO, Erika Bennett, three out of four of its hospitals in the state have power.
Elective surgeries were set to resume Monday (Sept. 30) at capable Ballad Health facilities in Tennessee. However, all services except emergency remain suspended at Greeneville Hospital in East Tennessee. Two more of Ballad’s facilities—Laughlin Healthcare Center and Unicoi County Hospital—remain closed until further notice. On Friday, rescue workers saved Unicoi’s staff and patients from the hospital roof due to flooding.
FEMA Takes Action In North Carolina
On Monday, FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell was boots on the ground in North Carolina, surveying the damages alongside Gov. Roy Cooper. President Biden has reportedly directed Criswell to remain in the state until the situation has stabilized.
Ten federal search and rescue teams are in NC, and another nine are on their way, meaning more than 900 personnel will aid with rescue efforts. One team is supporting the emergency department at an Asheville hospital, and a second is heading to a Spruce Pine hospital. Additionally, 200 federal ambulances were provided to the state.
FEMA provided 40 Starlink satellite systems to help with responder communications. Meanwhile, more incoming satellites will help restore the state’s communications infrastructure. For example, one Starlink will be deployed per county Emergency Operations Center to assist with communications and continuity of government. Two incident management assessment teams were working with the state to facilitate requests for assistance.
Furthermore, FEMA deployed 25 trailers filled with meals and 60 trailers of water to North Carolina. Also, a C-17 cargo plane full of food, water, and other commodities arrived in Asheville, with a daily flow of commodities established via an air bridge. Another 18 helicopters were on standby to help deliver additional commodities. Per FEMA, more than 1,000 occupants are in 29 shelters.
ASHEVILLE, NORTH CAROLINA—SEPTEMBER 28: Heavy rains from hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage in Asheville, North Carolina, on September 28, 2024. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)
President Biden Weighs In On Hurricane Helene
Biden said Monday that the federal government will be with survivors and others in the nation’s southeast affected by Helene for “as long as it takes.”
Speaking from the White House, Biden said he expects to have to ask Congress for additional money to cover federal disaster assistance to those who lost their homes and businesses by the “historic” wind, rain, and flooding event. However, he doesn’t yet know how much will be necessary to cover the damage.
“We know there’s more to do and we’ll continue to surge resources including food, water, communications, and lifesaving equipment,” Biden said. “I’m here to tell every single survivor in these impacted areas that we will be there with you as long as it takes.”
Biden defended his decision to spend the weekend at his Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, vacation home rather than at the White House to monitor the storm. He reportedly told the press, “I was commanding. I was on the phone.”
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Associated Press staff contributed to this report.
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