Highlights
- Hurricane Helene’s US death toll rises to 200 after new reports from Georgia and North Carolina.
- President Joe Biden visits storm-hit Taylor County, Florida.
- Vice President Kamala Harris travels to Augusta, Georgia, to assess damage.
- Rescue operations continue, with hundreds still missing across storm-battered regions.
- Former President Donald Trump criticizes the federal response amid the upcoming election.
The death toll from Hurricane Helene in the United States has surged to 200, with new reports coming in from Georgia and North Carolina.
The updated toll, double the earlier figures, highlights the extensive devastation caused by the Category 4 storm that swept through the southeastern US.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the affected areas to assess the damage and offer support.
Hurricane Helene unleashed severe flooding, destroying homes, sweeping away vehicles, and leaving a path of destruction across several states.
The storm, which made landfall on September 26, 2024, has left over one million people without power, while hundreds remain missing as search-and-rescue operations continue.
President Biden and Vice President Harris Visit Storm-Hit Areas
On October 3, 2024, President Biden visited Taylor County, Florida, where he flew over storm-battered regions, witnessing the damage firsthand.
In North Carolina, Biden saw scenes of twisted metal, fallen trees, and impassable roads in Asheville. The president reassured the public of ongoing federal support for rebuilding efforts.
Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Augusta, Georgia, where she paid tribute to the victims and met with local officials.
Power lines lay broken, and utility poles were down across the city as communities worked to recover. Harris highlighted the importance of unity in rebuilding after such a catastrophic event.
Rising Death Toll and Rescue Efforts
The increasing death toll and the massive scale of destruction have led to a heightened sense of urgency in ongoing rescue operations.
Former President Donald Trump, who is running in the upcoming election, criticized the federal response to Hurricane Helene, claiming aid had been withheld from Republican-majority areas.
Both Biden and Harris, however, mark their commitment to providing equal assistance to all states impacted by the storm.
Despite the political discourse, the focus remains on rescuing survivors, restoring power, and supporting the communities affected by one of the most devastating hurricanes in recent US history.
