Death Toll Continues To Rise After Helene

October 1, 2024 5:02 am

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden is planning to survey the devastation in the mountains of Western North Carolina on Wednesday, where exhausted emergency workers continue to work around-the-clock to clear roads, restore power and cellphone service, and reach people left stranded by Hurricane Helene. Water, food and other supplies are being airlifted into places cut off by mudslides and washed-out roads. The death toll after the storm left a trail of destruction across the U.S. Southeast has reached at least 133. Officials worry the toll will rise further as searchers reach isolated areas. Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for. Meanwhile, forecasters are keeping a close eye on Tropical Storm Kirk, which is expected to become a powerful Atlantic hurricane this week.