Helene deaths rise to 189 as it becomes deadliest hurricane since Katrina

Deaths after the devastating passage of Helene rose to 189, figures that make it the deadliest hurricane in the United States since Katrina in 2005, which left 1,392 deaths, according to the Associated Press.

Amid recovery efforts, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to the region on Wednesday to assess the extent of the destruction and offer support to those affected. “I’m here to tell you that America, the nation, stands behind you,” Biden declared to a crowd in Raleigh, North Carolina. “We will not leave until they fully recover.”

The storm surge, high winds and inland flooding caused by Helene have had catastrophic effects. Neighborhoods were flooded, residents were trapped, and homes were destroyed in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.

Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida as a Category 4 hurricane last Thursday night, making it the strongest hurricane on record to make landfall in that area.

1.2 million people were left without electricity

The devastating force of Hurricane Helene has left 1.2 million customers without power in several southern states of the United States. According to poweroutage.us, as of Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., 1,276,750 customers were still without power.

As recovery efforts continue, local and federal authorities are working tirelessly to restore basic services and provide assistance to those affected. Rescue teams continue to search for hundreds of missing people, and relief centers have been established to provide shelter and essential supplies to displaced residents.

With information from Associated Press/ 6ABC