Rescue operations are ongoing in North Carolina as authorities work to reach survivors and deliver aid following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Washed-out roads and damaged cellphone towers have left hundreds of people cut off in the western part of the state, particularly in the Appalachian Mountains.
The storm, which has claimed over 100 lives across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia—has left entire communities without power, communication, or water. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper described the situation as “catastrophic,” with some towns completely destroyed.
A massive coordinated effort is underway, involving 92 search and rescue teams from 20 states and federal agencies. Emergency workers have delivered over a million liters of water and 600,000 meals to affected areas, while the National Guard is airlifting supplies to remote locations.
The hurricane initially made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast and has caused widespread destruction across the Southeast. More than 1.7 million homes and businesses are without power, with the hardest-hit areas including South Carolina and Georgia.
President Joe Biden is expected to visit North Carolina and other affected states in the coming days, with discussions underway about requesting additional emergency aid from Congress.