North Carolina region devastated after Helene hammering
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said Sunday at least 11 people have died in the state as Tropical Storm Helene caused widespread destruction to local communities.
Speaking at a press conference Sunday, Cooper said officials expected the death toll to rise as rescue efforts continue.
“We know there will be more” deaths, Cooper said.
He asked locals to avoid driving on roads to allow for emergency services to reach those in need.
“Many people are cut off because the roads are impassable,” Cooper said.
More than 50 search teams have dispersed across the region to look for people stranded by the storm, The Associated Press reported. Supplies are also getting airlifted to the region around Asheville as a result of the road closures.
Landslides and flooding forced the closure of Interstate 40 and other roads, isolating Western North Carolina. The Associated Press reported Helene has brought the worst flooding North Carolina has seen in a century.
The storm has devastated much of the South.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday night as a Category 4 storm, with winds up to 140 mph. The storm system moved through Georgia, and then, as a weakened storm, through North and South Carolina and Tennessee, which saw torrential rains and tremendous flooding.
More than 60 people have died from the storm since it initially made landfall.
Cooper also announced Sunday that President Biden has granted his request for a federal major disaster declaration, which will allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to speed up deliveries of federal assistance to the states and help reimburse local governments and state agencies for the costs to repair some of the damage to infrastructure.
“The people in western North Carolina are hurting from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as fast as we can,” Cooper said in a press release. “We have deployed rescue teams, transportation crews, water, mobile kitchens and more. This is going to be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.”
The Associated Press contributed.
Date: |
-
Top stories - NBC News
Historic North Carolina village underwater after devastating damage from Helene
ASHEVILLE, N.C. — A historic village in western North Carolina is underwater after experiencing devastating flooding damage from Helene.Yesterday -
Top stories - BBC News
Thirty killed in one county after hurricane swamps North Carolina
At least 105 people have died nationwide, as officials airdrop supplies to devastated areas of the US south-east.1 hour ago -
Top stories - The New York Times
In North Carolina, Helene Emergency Workers Race to Provide Relief
Thousands of people struggled to cope without basic necessities as authorities searched for the missing, and the overall death toll from the storm surpassed 90.6 minutes ago -
Top stories - ABC News
Multiple people killed after small plane crash in North Carolina
The number of people killed and their identities have not been released.4 hours ago -
Top stories - NBC News
Officials are calling the North Carolina flood disaster ‘unprecedented’
Officials are calling the flooding in North Carolina an "unprecedented" disaster - with flooding wiping out parts of the popular tourist town of Asheville, where residents are struggling to get ...1 hour ago -
Top stories - NBC News
Hurricane Helene devastates Southeast leaving at least 64 dead
The Southeast is dealing with the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene after the storm destroyed entire communities from Florida to North Carolina with flooding and mudslides that caused ...12 hours ago -
Business - Financial Times
Death toll climbs as tropical storm Helene devastates south-east US
Power outages hit five states with floods estimated to have caused billions of dollars of damage2 hours ago
More from The Hill
-
Politics - The Hill
3 California firefighters injured in crash en route to hurricane response
Three members of a California search and rescue team were injured in a vehicle crash Sunday morning, as they were driving cross-country to support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in North Carolina. ...28 minutes ago - California -
Politics - The Hill
Hogan calls Trump's comments on Harris's mental abilities 'outrageous and unacceptable'
Former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, the Republican candidate for Senate, said former President Trump’s comments attacking Vice President Harris as mentally disabled are “outrageous and unacceptable,” ...41 minutes ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
Biden celebrates Jimmy Carter ahead of his 100th birthday
President Biden praised former President Carter ahead of his 100th birthday on Tuesday, telling him, “Mr. President, I admire you so darn much.” “Your hopeful vision of our country, your commitment ...1 hour ago - Joe Biden -
Politics - The Hill
Britt says she thinks Putin 'respects' Trump
Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) said in a Sunday interview she thinks Russian President Vladimir Putin “respects” former President Trump. “Look, there is a reason that President Putin only invaded ...2 hours ago - Donald Trump -
Politics - The Hill
Emmer: Vance to hold Walz 'accountable' during Tuesday's VP debate
House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.) said Sunday he expects Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio), the GOP nominee for vice president, to hold his opponent, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), accountable on the ...2 hours ago