Death toll from Hurricane Helene in the US rises to 133

At least 133 people have died in six southeastern states as Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc from Florida's Gulf Coast to Virginia's Appalachian Mountains. The deaths were caused by falling trees, being trapped, drowning when houses collapsed or water entered cars...

The death toll has steadily risen as rescuers reach areas cut off by collapsed roads, crumbling infrastructure and widespread flooding. White House homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall said at a press briefing on September 30 that as many as 600 people were still missing as of Tuesday afternoon, some of whom were feared dead.

Government officials and relief groups worked to deliver supplies by air, truck and even donkey to the hard-hit tourist hub of Asheville, North Carolina, and surrounding mountain towns. At least 40 people have died in the county that includes Asheville.

Devastation after Hurricane Helene in Asheville. Photo: AP

Several major roads into Asheville were washed away or blocked by mudslides, including a 4-mile stretch of Interstate 40. The city's water system was severely damaged, forcing residents to scoop up stream water in buckets to flush toilets.

Officials warn that the rebuilding will be long and difficult. Hurricane Helene made landfall on the north Florida coast late on September 26 as a Category 4 storm and quickly moved through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee. The storm wreaked havoc across the southeastern United States, with deaths also reported in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Virginia.

Officials have urged visitors to stay away from the area to keep the road clear for ambulances. More than 50 search teams have been deployed across the area to look for those trapped.

Western North Carolina was hit harder because that's where Helene encountered the high elevations and colder air of the Appalachian Mountains, causing more rain to fall. Asheville and many surrounding mountain towns are built in valleys, making them particularly vulnerable to heavy rains and devastating flooding.

Ngoc Anh (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/so-nguoi-thiet-mang-vi-bao-helene-o-my-len-toi-133-nguoi-post314725.html