US Storm Death Toll Surpasses 200: Officials
Faizan Hashmi Published October 04, 2024 | 01:30 AM
Asheville, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 4th Oct, 2024) More than 200 people are confirmed dead after Hurricane Helene carved a path of destruction through several southeastern US states, officials said Thursday, making it the second deadliest storm to hit the US mainland in more than half a century.
A compilation of official figures by AFP confirms 201 fatalities across North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia. More than half of the deaths were in flood-ravaged North Carolina.
Helene is the deadliest on the US mainland since 2005's Hurricane Katrina, which killed 1,392 people.
Despite hundreds of rescues across six states and an enormous response including more than 10,000 Federal personnel assisting local responders, the death toll from the sprawling storm is expected to rise, with many residents still unaccounted for in a mountainous region known for its pockets of isolation.
"We are continuing to find survivors," North Carolina's Buncombe County, the epicenter of the tragedy where more than 60 people are confirmed dead, said in its latest update, adding there are residents still cut off from the outside world due to landslides and destroyed bridges.
"Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the families of those that had just experienced this heartbreak and this tragedy," Georgia Governor Brian Kemp told a briefing n his state, where he said the number of confirmed dead has risen to 33.
US President Joe Biden was undertaking a second straight day of visits to affected states, traveling Thursday to Florida, where Helene blew into the state's northern Gulf shore last week as a powerful Category 4 hurricane with wind speeds of 140 miles (225 kilometers) per hour.
Biden took an aerial tour of the coast to survey the devastation, then walked past rows of destroyed homes and buildings in Keaton Beach, near where the storm made landfall.
He next heads to neighboring Georgia.
Recent Stories
Spain flood deaths top 200, more troops join rescue
Algerian Embassy marks 70th National Day in Islamabad
Death toll rises to 12 in Serbia train station roof collapse: minister
Roof collapse kills eight at Serbia train station: minister
Information Minister vows to revive PTV’s lost glory
Imran’s fight for power not people: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sena ..
Raja Pervez Ashraf, Hasan Murtaza call on Governor Punjab
2 MPA arrives in KP Assembly after release
Federal Minister visits Kashmir House, reaffirms support for Kashmir cause
Kenya reintroduces tax reforms with new deputy president
Samples of wheat purchased from PASSCO sent to laboratory for testing
Governor Sindh raises Pakistan-Russia flags on Russia's people's unity day
More Stories From World
-
Zverev downs Tsitsipas in Paris as Rune keeps ATP Finals bid alive
5 hours ago -
Piastri takes Brazil sprint pole ahead of Norris
5 hours ago -
Black man convicted by all-white jury to be executed in South Carolina
5 hours ago -
Morales supporters storm Bolivia barracks, take 'around 20' hostages
5 hours ago -
Zverev downs Tsitsipas in Paris as Rune keeps ATP Finals bid alive
5 hours ago -
US announces $425 mn in new Ukraine security aid
6 hours ago
-
Zverev downs Tsitsipas to book place in semis of Paris Masters
6 hours ago -
Spain flood deaths top 200, more troops join rescue
6 hours ago -
Death toll rises to 12 in Serbia train station roof collapse: minister
6 hours ago -
Roof collapse kills eight at Serbia train station: minister
6 hours ago -
Kenya reintroduces tax reforms with new deputy president
6 hours ago -
Bloody gangland shootout puts France at 'tipping point'
6 hours ago