Hurricane Helene Death Toll Rises to 166: Over 1 Million Still Without Power and Hundreds Missing

Hurricane Helene Death Toll Rises to 166

At least 166 lives have been claimed by Hurricane Helene, with hundreds still unaccounted for as rescue efforts ramp up in the aftermath of the catastrophic storm. Over 1 million people remain without power across several southeastern states, with the situation particularly dire in Buncombe County, North Carolina, and parts of Tennessee.

President Joe Biden is set to visit North and South Carolina on Wednesday to assess the damage, while Vice President Kamala Harris will head to Georgia. Earlier this week, former President Donald Trump also visited the state.

As of early Wednesday, nearly 1.3 million individuals were still experiencing power outages, including over 373,000 in Georgia, nearly 494,000 in South Carolina, and more than 347,000 in North Carolina. Some areas are struggling with access to clean drinking water; in Asheville, about 100,000 residents lack running water, forcing them to boil water or use creek water for basic needs. In Augusta, Georgia, residents have faced a three-day water outage and are under a boil water advisory.

Federal assistance is on the way, with FEMA delivering essential supplies, but there are concerns about the availability of disaster relief funds. Lawmakers, including Florida's Rick Scott, are urging Congress to act, though immediate additional funding seems uncertain. A recently passed stopgap funding measure does provide some resources, but much of it is earmarked for previous disasters. House Speaker Mike Johnson has assured that existing funds will be properly allocated to address current needs.

Hurricane Helene Death Toll Rises to 166: Over 1 Million Still Without Power and Hundreds Missing