ASHEVILLE, N.C. − As the Southeast grapples with historic flooding caused by Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, the death toll has risen to at least 100, with more than 2 million homes and businesses still without power as of Monday.

Since Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area late Thursday, hundreds of water rescues have been conducted in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Atlanta experienced over 11 inches of rain within 48 hours, breaking a record that stood for nearly a century and a half. In Western North Carolina, some areas saw over 30 inches of rainfall, leading to houses being swept away, bridges collapsing, and semi-trucks being tossed into heaps. The streets were filled with mud, tree debris, and food from local stores.

Buncombe County reported a death toll of 35, and authorities anticipate this number may rise. Approximately 600 missing persons reports have been filed, although this number could decrease once communication systems are restored.

“Most of the county is without water and power,” stated County Manager Avril Pinder. “The roads remain highly treacherous.”

Supplies are being airlifted due to the destruction of many roads, and the county plans to start providing food and water to residents Monday afternoon.

Governor Roy Cooper has activated over 500 National Guard members to assist in the response efforts. More than 200 vehicles and aircraft, including high-water response vehicles and emergency aviation equipment, are actively engaged in life-saving missions.

President Joe Biden has assured affected communities that they will receive support, stating that the “nation has your back” and help is on the way.

“Resources such as food, water, communication tools, and life-saving equipment will be provided,” Biden affirmed on Monday. “We are committed to this effort for as long as it takes.”

Latest Updates:

∎ AccuWeather has revised its damage and economic loss estimates for Hurricane Helene to between $145 billion and $160 billion, making it one of the most expensive storms in U.S. history due to its significant storm surge, winds, and flooding, according to the weather service.

∎ Vice President Kamala Harris plans to cut short a campaign trip to visit the devastated Southeast, as reported by her office. Former President Donald Trump, who is also planning a visit to the area, criticized Harris for continuing her campaigning during the ongoing disaster. He has maintained his rally schedule.

∎ Recovery of energy production in the Gulf is underway, with only 3% of crude oil and 1% of natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico remaining offline following Hurricane Helene, the U.S. Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement reported on Sunday.

Biden Deploys FEMA Chief to Asheville ‘until the situation has stabilized’

President Biden has dispatched FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to Asheville, North Carolina, to oversee recovery efforts “until the situation has stabilized,” as stated by the agency on Monday. FEMA teams are currently on-site at Mission Hospital providing treatment, with another team heading to Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine.

Ten federal search and rescue teams are currently deployed in the area, with nine additional teams en route, totaling 900 active personnel, according to FEMA. Also, 25 trailer-loads of meals and 60 trailer-loads of water are being sent, along with a C-17 cargo plane carrying food, water, and other necessities.

FEMA has also supplied 200 federal ambulances and 40 Starlink satellites to improve communications for responders, while 18 helicopters are ready to deliver additional aid to impacted areas.

− Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen-Times

DeSantis Organizes Rescues for Floridians in North Carolina

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has ordered rescue teams to assist Floridians potentially stranded in western North Carolina due to blocked roads and power and cellphone outages.

Named “Operation Blue Ridge,” this initiative launched on Sunday is similar to a previous operation he led to help Florida citizens in Israel after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks, as well as those affected by political violence in Haiti earlier this year.

Recovery efforts in Florida continue in the wake of Helene, with at least 11 fatalities reported, including at least nine in Pinellas County, located hundreds of miles from where the storm made landfall.

DeSantis mentioned that he missed a call from Biden while in the air assessing the situation.

The governor mentioned that the federal government should focus on assisting those impacted in western North Carolina, although he noted that Florida may seek additional federal aid later.

− Gray Rohrer, Tallahassee Democrat

‘It’s a race against time’: Historic town begins recovery efforts

MARSHALL, N.C. − Just days after massive flooding hit this small town of under 800 inhabitants, cleanup teams were busy on Monday clearing away heavy mud and debris while store owners salvaged items from the water-soaked buildings downtown. Located along the French Broad River north of Asheville, the historic town suffered severe flooding that reached the roofs of some first-floor shops. A water-treatment facility across the river was also impacted. Most areas in town were left without power or cell service. Many businesses that had recently contributed to a revitalization of the downtown area were affected. Amidst machines and debris, Chad Adamowski and his friends were shoveling mud out of his tattoo and music shop, racing against the clock to remove damaged walls before mold took hold. “It’s a race against time,” he expressed.

− Chris Kenning

World Central Kitchen providing meals in Asheville

Various disaster relief organizations are offering free food and resources in Asheville due to the urgent needs following the flooding. World Central Kitchen, an international relief nonprofit, began serving complimentary meals on Monday. This organization, founded by chef José Andrés in 2010, aims to deliver fresh food to those affected by crises both in the U.S. and worldwide.

“Asheville, we are here,” the organization tweeted on Monday. “WCK is in North Carolina helping flooded communities and families stranded due to Hurricane Helene.”

− Tiana Kennell, YSL News NETWORK

Concern for neighbors during communication failures

In Burnsville, North Carolina, Suzanne Vale shared the names of her neighbors in a Facebook group in hopes that someone might have updates about their wellbeing. She is one of many turning to social media to connect with friends and family after Hurricane Helene caused communication outages across areas of the Southeast. The storm’s destructiveness has made it hard to get information.

As the storm approached Florida, Vale and her husband traveled from their home in the Blue Ridge Mountains to their residence in Dunedin, a coastal area near Tampa. While their Florida property remained unharmed, their main concern shifted to Burnsville, where fallen bridges and washed-out roads have left residents isolated and unable to reach out for help.

“No one has been able to contact anyone up there. I’m sure they’re safe; it’s just the uncertainty that’s difficult,” she said regarding her friends and neighbors. “It’s hard to comprehend what’s happened.”

− Christopher Cann

‘The entire side of the mountain gave way’

RED HILL, N.C. – Watching Helene’s heavy rains and strong winds devastate his farm on the Appalachian slopes, James Waters witnessed trees snap, fences get destroyed, and landslides occur.

It took him an entire day to clear the road with a farm excavator. He encountered winding roads cluttered with downed power lines, broken branches, thick mud, and debris. In some places, vehicles were washed into ditches. A neighbor even discovered a body near a riverbank, he reported.

Everyone lacked cell service and power, leading to a difficult situation where relatives couldn’t check on each other’s safety. Acknowledging the monumental recovery ahead, Waters was grateful his family had survived. Like others, he immediately grabbed his chainsaw to help clear paths and check on his neighbors.

“The entire side of the mountain gave way,” he shared. “And it filled the valley with mud.” Read more here.

− Chris Kenning

Helicopters and drones utilized in rescues

Dale Buckner, CEO of Global Guardian, reported that his international security company has helped evacuate over 400 individuals from disaster-struck areas across the Southeast. Some rescues involved the use of helicopters and thermal drones, he noted.

“We’ve seen the most significant need from clients in the North Carolina area, but we’re also conducting wellness checks and providing food and water supplies along the storm’s trail,” he explained. “The destruction  and its consequences are likely to last for months.”

Did the historic Biltmore Estate suffer flooding from Helene?

The Biltmore Estate in Asheville is currently evaluating the damage and will temporarily remain closed due to “serious flooding, impassable roads, and widespread power outages in our area,” as stated in updates on the estate’s social media. Officials are advising visitors to check biltmore.com/weather-update for the latest information. As of Sunday, the website indicated that they were “working to reopen,” but no specific timeline was provided.

This French Renaissance château built by George Vanderbilt in the late 19th century has 250 rooms and is known for being the “largest single-family home in the United States.” It boasts more than four acres of floor space, 35 bedrooms, 43 bathrooms, and 65 fireplaces. Read more here.

− Juan Buitrago, Asheville Citizen Times

Repeated hurricanes leave Floridians anxious

CEDAR KEY, Fla. − The innkeeper questions whether it’s worth rebuilding this storm-affected town once more. The clam farmer worries about the harvest’s fate. Meanwhile, the local business leader reflects on what future extreme weather may bring as climate change increases the challenges.

Tens of thousands in Florida’s Big Bend region are sharing these concerns in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Similar fears are echoed by coastal communities from Alaska to California and Maine as they face stronger, more frequent storms and rising sea levels that disrupt their lives and livelihoods. Many insurance providers have already reduced coverage or withdrawn entirely from certain regions, signaling the looming long-term risks.

“Natural disasters are simply that,” stated innkeeper Ian Maki, who has faced five hurricanes since relocating to the area near Gainesville in 2018. “However, these events no longer seem natural.” For more, click here.

− Trevor Hughes

Worried family members wait outside the emergency room

Families gathered outside the emergency department at HCA Healthcare’s Mission Hospital in Asheville, anxious about the status of loved ones who had been admitted. Shawn Hensley, 47, from Black Mountain, shared with the Citizen Times, part of the YSL News NETWORK, that his 65-year-old mother had been hospitalized the previous night due to a lack of oxygen. To escape his neighborhood, he and his neighbors had to use a chainsaw to clear a tree that was blocking his vehicle.

“It appears as if Mother Nature just wreaked havoc on that small town,” Hensley commented. “Everywhere you look, there’s devastation.”

Biden plans to visit areas impacted by Helene

President Biden intends to tour the regions affected by Helene this week once it is feasible without interfering with emergency operations, according to the White House.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Biden expressed to reporters on Sunday, promising recovery aid after declaring major disasters in Florida and North Carolina, along with emergencies for Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia, and Alabama. “You saw the images. It’s striking.”

Former President Trump is set to visit Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to receive an update on the storm damage, according to his campaign.

New storms forming in the Atlantic Basin

The National Hurricane Center is currently monitoring five weather systems in the Atlantic. A major concern for Florida and the United States is a disturbance in the Caribbean Sea, which could develop into a tropical depression later this week, following a path akin to that of Hurricane Helene. Forecasters are urging residents along the Gulf Coast to keep a close watch on the developing system.

Additionally, Tropical Storm Kirk is expected to evolve into a “large and powerful” storm later this week, as indicated by the hurricane center. Current projections show it moving northward into the central Atlantic, well away from the U.S. For more information, click here.

Cheryl McCloud, YSL News NETWORK – Florida

Ways to support victims of Helene

As officials evaluate the damage caused by Helene across various regions, rescue teams and emergency personnel are being sent to the most affected and isolated communities. Relief funds and initiatives have also been established to aid victims and survivors.

Federal officials have advised against sending unsolicited goods or traveling to areas impacted by disasters. The Federal Emergency Management Agency noted that, at this time, monetary contributions are the only requested form of assistance.

Here are some organizations that are accepting donations to support those affected by the storm:

• American Red Cross: Volunteers from Florida to Tennessee are aiding communities with food, disaster supplies, shelter, and other forms of relief. The organization is accepting donations to support these efforts.
• The Salvation Army: This organization has dispatched teams to provide immediate assistance, meals, and long-term recovery support for both survivors and rescue workers. To contribute, please visit their Hurricane Helene relief donation page here.
• GoFundMe: GoFundMe has created a dedicated hub for verified fundraisers aimed at helping individuals and communities affected by the storm. They also manage their own Hurricane Relief Fund that offers cash grants to those in need.
• Americares: This nonprofit focuses on providing emergency medical relief and has launched a donation page to support communities in recovering from Helene.
• All Hands and Hearts: This volunteer-driven organization assists with both immediate and longer-term disaster recovery and has initiated a Helene fund to facilitate their 12-month response.