This devastating storm has now become the second-deadliest hurricane to strike the U.S. mainland in the last 50 years, following only Hurricane Katrina, which claimed over 1,800 lives in 2005. The breakdown of deaths by state reveals the severity of the disaster: North Carolina has reported 113 deaths, South Carolina 48, Georgia 33, Florida 20, Tennessee 11, and Virginia 2.

In the wake of this catastrophe, a massive relief effort is underway, focusing on restoring power, rebuilding critical infrastructure, and delivering supplies to areas cut off from access. Search operations for missing individuals continue as communities grapple with the aftermath of the storm.

The iconic Blue Ridge Parkway remains closed while crews assess the extensive damage. The National Park Service has indicated that portions of the parkway have sustained “significant, and in some cases catastrophic” destruction, including downed trees and washed-out roads.

In Buncombe County, North Carolina, which has been hit particularly hard, emergency responders from across the nation have mobilized. Over 1,300 personnel, including teams from the New York Fire Department, are on the ground, supported by more than 3,000 federal responders from FEMA.

Power outages continue to plague the region, leaving over 460,000 customers without electricity across five states. South Carolina leads with approximately 170,648 outages, followed by North Carolina with 144,711, Georgia with 141,262, Florida with 3,628, and Virginia with 3,594. While the number of outages has decreased, about 74,000 residents in Buncombe County are still awaiting power restoration.

Amid this crisis, the community of Black Mountain, North Carolina, is rallying together to provide essential supplies, such as water and food, to those affected. Nathan West, a member of Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, emphasized the heartbreaking loss of families in the area and the importance of local efforts to support their neighbors.

In Asheville, approximately 400 nurses from eight states have been dispatched to assist healthcare workers, along with over 40 physicians to bolster local medical services. HCA Healthcare is also providing thousands of gallons of water and mobile sanitation stations to address ongoing water shortages in the region.

To further aid recovery, the Transportation Department has announced a $100 million emergency funding package for North Carolina to repair roads and bridges damaged by Helene, ensuring that critical routes are restored without delay.

As the state continues to face significant challenges in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the resilience of its communities shines through as they work together to rebuild and recover from this devastating storm. (ILKHA)