The number of fatalities in six states due to the Helene Hurricane in the U.S. has risen to 214. The North Carolina police stated that over 200 people are still missing in the state. It was reported that billions of dollars will be needed for the complete reconstruction of the infrastructure in the affected areas. The death toll is increasing due to the Helene Hurricane, which made landfall in the state of Florida at Category 4 level last week.
The total death toll in the states of Florida, Georgia, Virginia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and North Carolina affected by the hurricane has reached 214. In North Carolina, 108 people died, 41 in South Carolina, 33 in Georgia, 19 in Florida, 11 in Tennessee, and 2 in Virginia.
Since the Katrina Hurricane in 2005, which caused the death of 1,392 people, Helene has become the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. The White House announced that in North Carolina, the most affected by the hurricane, over 40,000 people applied for disaster relief. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has paid out over $6.2 million to disaster victims in the state.
The North Carolina police mentioned that over 200 people are missing in the state. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper emphasized that the hurricane caused “total destruction” on the roads, bridges, and water systems. Cooper stated, “Our current focus is on repairing the main arteries for supply materials, medical assistance, and public service teams.” Highlighting the need for billions of dollars for the complete reconstruction of the region’s infrastructure, Cooper said, “Understanding that such devastation is now a real possibility, we need to rebuild in a more resilient way.”
Cooper mentioned that over a thousand National Guard troops and 32 aircraft delivered daily relief supplies, and the government sent food and water to the disaster area. Cooper noted that search and rescue operations for losses are still ongoing throughout the state, emphasizing that recovery will be a long-term process. Cooper added, “Knowing that especially due to the non-functioning of electricity and water systems, people will need assistance for some time.”