On Monday, Sept. 30, Hurricane Helene struck North Carolina, causing widespread devastation across the southeastern United States. The hurricane also affected parts of Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia. There are 194 confirmed deaths since it last hit Florida; more than half of the deaths were from the hit in North Carolina. President Biden recently visited North Carolina and announced that 1,000 active-duty soldiers joined the North Carolina National Guards, delivering supplies, food, and water in order to help isolated communities.
“The federal government will be with the affected residents in the nation’s southeast for as long as it takes,” says President Biden.
“President Biden emphasized the federal government’s commitment to long-term recovery efforts.” The 1,000 soldiers, along with the National Guard, have been instrumental in providing emergency supplies to those who remain stranded after the storm.
In Asheville, North Carolina, one of the hardest-hit areas, residents grapple with the widespread destruction. Washed-out roads and a lack of power and cell service left many people cut off from the rest of the world. A woman was seen cradling her child while others gathered on a hillside. The people there could finally send messages to loved ones, often just saying, “I’m OK.” The scene of flattened houses, overturned boats, and broken docks painted a picture of desperation.
Rescue teams worked tirelessly to reach those trapped by the storm, often facing significant challenges from collapsed roads and flooding. Some of the most dramatic rescues took place in Tennessee, where over 50 patients and hospital staff airlifted from a hospital rooftop. According to White House Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, at least 600 people are still missing. Randall says, “We fear that some of the missing may be among the dead.”
The path of Hurricane Helene has left communities mourning the loss of loved ones and struggling to rebuild. The hurricane’s toll on lives and infrastructure has made it one of the worst storms in U.S. history. Aid continues to flow into the region, but for many, the road to recovery will be long and challenging.