Casualties from Hurricane Helene in Southern U.S. States Exceed 90

The devastating and deadly consequences of the powerful hurricane 'Helene' continue in several states in the U.S., and on Sunday, October 1st, the death toll surpassed 90. In North Carolina alone, at least 30 people have died, and rescue workers are still facing difficulties reaching parts of the disaster-stricken areas in the southern states. Severe winds and heavy rains have affected cities and villages in parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee, leading to the destruction of homes, flooding of roads, and power outages for millions of customers. According to the latest statistics, at least 93 people have fallen victim to these adverse weather conditions: 37 in North Carolina, 25 in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, two in Tennessee, and one in Virginia. The western parts of North Carolina remain under flood warning due to the potential for dam failures. While meteorological agencies expect weather conditions to improve by Tuesday, power remains out for more than two million homes. A U.S. Department of Energy official noted that the efforts to restore power are 'complex and extensive' and may take several days to resolve. Thousands have been forced to seek refuge in tents and temporary Red Cross shelters. The Category 4 hurricane Helene, with winds reaching 225 km/h, hit the northern Gulf Coast of Florida. Although its intensity has now decreased, it has left behind significant destruction and chaos. North Carolina has experienced the worst flooding. According to Governor Roy Cooper, due to severe damage or flooding of roads in parts of the affected areas, rescue teams have had to deliver water, food, and medicine to residents by helicopter. Hundreds of roads, including four major highways between North Carolina and Tennessee, remain closed, and several bridges have been destroyed by flooding. In each of the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, at least one hundred roads are still unusable. Amidst this, with the U.S. presidential election approaching, the response to this catastrophic event has taken on a political hue. President Joe Biden, along with two election candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, have all announced plans to visit the affected areas, especially since some of these regions are located in key and decisive states for the elections. Joe Biden, who has approved federal aid for the affected states, has confirmed that he will visit the disaster-stricken areas this week. Kamala Harris, Biden's vice president and Democratic candidate in next month's election, has also announced that she will travel to these areas. After emphasizing full support for the affected people and assisting in the reconstruction of these areas during a campaign event in Las Vegas on Sunday night, she is returning to Washington to be briefed by federal officials on the latest situation in the affected areas. Former President Donald Trump and Republican candidate is also set to visit the city of Valdosta in Georgia on Monday to closely observe the conditions of the affected people there. The U.S. presidential election is scheduled for November 5th.