RALEIGH – Hurricane Helene has killed 155 people in the U.S. states of North Carolina (74), South Carolina (36), Georgia (25), Florida (14), Tennessee (4) and Virginia (2), according to an AFP tally. The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams reach remote areas and telecommunications are restored, local authorities said.
Search and rescue teams that have already saved hundreds of people were searching for more survivors Tuesday, working through washed-out roads, destroyed bridges and downed power lines. Many people are still missing, especially in the mountains of western North Carolina.
Helene was a Category 4 hurricane when it hit the Gulf Coast of Florida on Thursday, but later weakened to a tropical storm. Helene caused extensive damage across the southeastern states, mainly due to flooding.
