Hurricane Helene leaves 200 dead as Georgia and North Carolina report more fatalities

Hurricane Helene claimed 200 lives by Thursday after Georgia and North Carolina reported additional fatalities.

The death toll rose from 189 to 200, with Georgia adding eight deaths and North Carolina adding three to their totals.

Rescue operations continued in western North Carolina, which suffered the worst of the storm’s impact. Communities and authorities are also working together to recover from the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. Fatalities have been reported across several states.

Power is also gradually being restored in several areas. The majority of outages remain in the Carolinas and Georgia, where Helene struck after hitting Florida 's Gulf Coast as a Category 4 hurricane.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, we are seeing the best of America. Neighbors are taking care of each other. People are delivering supplies to folks in need.

Thank you to everyone who has risen to this moment and stepped in to help. We will rebuild and recover together. pic.twitter.com/CA2TmRaqft

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 3, 2024

Vice president Kamala Harris announced federal support for Georgia, stating that the government will cover emergency aid costs for three months. President Biden and Harris also visited the affected areas to assess the damage.

To the people of Georgia and all those across the southeast who have been affected by this devastating storm: President Biden and I are here for the long haul.

Today, @POTUS approved the full federal reimbursement of costs, which allows relief to get to communities as quickly as… pic.twitter.com/D4DRJGmfa1

— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 3, 2024

Biden pledged federal support for debris removal and emergency measures for six months, saying, "We’re not leaving until you’re back on your feet completely."

Earlier, I took an aerial tour over Western North Carolina to survey the damage. What I saw was heartbreaking.

But back on the ground, we’re witnessing neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers and workers standing side-by-side, people leaning on each other.

That's America. pic.twitter.com/KO3tYIVpYF

— President Biden (@POTUS) October 2, 2024

In Tennessee, floodwaters led to the deaths of workers at a plastics factory, and the state is investigating the company involved. In Florida, state prisoners are helping clear debris.

Helene made landfall in northern Florida last Thursday, causing widespread destruction across the Southeast. This is the deadliest storm to hit the US mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.