According to the Associated Press, the death toll from Hurricane Helene has reached 215, and the exact number of missing persons is still unclear. The Associated Press reported on Thursday evening, October 12, that so far half of the victims have died in North Carolina, with dozens more killed in South Carolina and Georgia. Hurricane Helene has been assessed as the deadliest storm in the United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden announced on Thursday during a visit to Florida and Georgia the commitment of Congress to assist the affected states. Mr. Biden, who initially conducted an aerial tour of the area, stated that the reconstruction of the affected areas will cost 'billions of dollars' and 'I believe Congress must ensure that the states have the resources they need.' The President and congressional leaders emphasized that the federal government will likely need to approve supplemental funding to respond to the damages and humanitarian crisis following this hurricane. Joe Biden had also visited North Carolina and South Carolina on Wednesday. According to him, the federal government will cover '100 percent' of all debris removal and emergency protective measures costs in North Carolina for six months and will do the same for Florida and Georgia for the next 90 days. During this trip, Mr. Biden met with state and local officials from both the Democratic and Republican parties, including Republican Senator Rick Scott from Florida and Republican Senator Lindsey Graham from South Carolina, stating: 'At such times, we must put politics aside; there are no Republicans or Democrats in this crisis, we are all just Americans.' Hurricane Helene entered the southeastern United States from the Atlantic Ocean last Thursday, causing extensive damage with winds of up to 225 kilometers per hour. Power companies have recently reported that about two million people in the affected states are without electricity.
Death Toll from Hurricane Helene Reaches 215; Biden Continues Visit to Affected Areas
Hurricane Helene has caused significant devastation in the southeastern United States, with a death toll of 215 and many missing. President Biden is visiting affected states and emphasizing bipartisan support for disaster relief and reconstruction efforts. This situation highlights the federal government's role in disaster response and the potential need for additional funding.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Hurricane Helene has devastated the southeastern United States, resulting in a death toll of 215 and widespread destruction. President Biden is visiting affected areas to assure federal support for recovery efforts.
- Hurricane Helene is the deadliest storm in the U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
- Approximately two million people are without electricity in the affected states.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Hurricanes are common in the southeastern U.S., and the federal government plays a crucial role in providing disaster relief and recovery funding. The scale of Hurricane Helene's impact is particularly severe, drawing comparisons to past disasters.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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