The balance of fatalities from the passage of Hurricane Helene by several states in the United States increased to 162, while hundreds remain missing and it is expected that the toll may increase in the coming days, while search and rescue efforts by emergency services continue.
The deaths have been registered in six states, being the most affected North Carolinawith 73 deaths; and South Carolinawith 36. In addition, there are 25 fatalities in Georgia, 17 in Floridanine in Tennessee and two in Virginiaaccording to the balance collected by the American television network cnn.
With these figures, “Helene” has become the second deadliest hurricane to hit the continental United States in the last 50 years, after Hurricane Katrinawhich killed 1,833 people in 2005.
In just 48 hours, large areas of the southeastern United States were left unrecognizable after strong winds and flooding. Communities were isolated as the water washed away hundreds of roads, buildings, homes and vehicles. Millions of people were also left without power or access to water in at least six states.
The governor of North CarolinaRoy Cooper, has claimed that “communities were wiped off the map”, which is why emergency teams are still rescuing people and trying to bring help five days after “Helene” made landfall.
