Washington: A massive cleanup and recovery operation began Sunday across several Southeastern U.S. states after the havoc wreaked by Hurricane Helene. The storm, which had slammed into Florida’s Gulf Coast on Thursday night, has brought catastrophic flooding, fallen power lines and broken infrastructure from Florida to Virginia.
The number of deaths has already risen to at least 60 in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. Officials note that the death toll may still increase since rescuers are intensifying their search activities. Damage is estimated in the billions, while estimates range from $15 billion to over $100 billion as per forecasts and insurer reports.
Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA
Administrator Deanne Criswell said the infrastructure was heavily damaged-water systems, communication networks, and transportation routes. On CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Criswell reassured that the U.S. government has resources available to address the catastrophe but added that the recovery process would be complex in nature. She said bottled water had been sent to the affected areas and that the Army Corps of Engineers would start assessing damage to water systems.
As of Sunday, some 2.7 million customers had lost power,
Down 40 percent from Friday as restoration work shifts into high gear. The storm continued to move hundreds of miles inland with fierce winds and record-breaking storm surges reported.
Storm surges of up to 15 feet rolled through Perry, a town small enough that many of the destroyed homes were passed down through generations. Residents of Horseshoe Beach, including Charlene Huggins, grieved for lost memories, while others, such as James Ellenburg, reflected on family histories shaped by the land.
In Steinhatchee, a storm surge of eight to ten feet pushed mobile homes off their foundations, and communities like Spring Warrior Fish Camp began assessments and awaited emergency assistance. Local business owner David Hall lamented that smaller communities seem to receive more attention during disasters:.
Heavy rain hammered Western North Carolina,
Knocking out power in some areas and forcing hundreds of roads to stay closed. State officials said more than 400 roads remained closed, and the governor confirmed two fatalities in the state after the storms.
As part of its recovery activities, local and federal agencies are working diligently to restore services and to assist affected communities in their dire need.
