The storm surge, wind damage and inland flooding from Hurricane Helene have been catastrophic, flooding neighborhoods, stranding residents, destroying homes and toppling trees in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.
Dozens have been killed.
Helene, which made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region Thursday night as a massive Category 4 hurricane, was the strongest hurricane to make landfall in the Big Bend on record.
Hurricane Helene's impact on South Carolina has been "devastating," and the storm has claimed the lives of 25 people in the state, Gov. Henry McMaster said Sunday.
"We don’t want to lose any more," McMaster said.
Nearly 1.3 million customers lost power in South Carolina at Helene's peak. As of Sunday afternoon, more than 800,000 customers remain in the dark.
Whitefield Fire Station of Anderson County remove a fallen tree from US 29 near the Jockey Lot, during Tropical Storm Helene in Williamston, S.C., Sept. 27, 2024.
Ken Ruinard /USA TODAY
The governor emphasized that power companies are working around the clock to restore electricity. Thousands of workers are on the ground, but downed trees tangled in power lines are delaying efforts, he said.
-ABC News’ Jason Volack
1:22 PM EDT
FEMA sending more search and rescue teams to North Carolina
FEMA Director Deanne Criswell said the agency is sending more search and rescue teams to western North Carolina, where residents are facing "historic" flooding from Hurricane Helene.
A handout photo made available by the North Carolina Division of Aviation showing flood damage caused by the storm that started as Hurricane Helene along Interstate 40 in Black Mountain, NC, Sept. 29, 2024.
Handout/North Carolina Division Of Aviation/EPA-EFE
"I don't know that anybody could be fully prepared for the amount of flooding and landslides that they are experiencing right now. But we have had teams in there for several days. We're sending more search and rescue teams in there," Criswell told CBS' "Face the Nation."
The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene in Lake Lure, NC, Sept. 28, 2024.
Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images
Gov. Roy Cooper described Hurricane Helene’s damage in western North Carolina as "catastrophic."
"This unprecedented storm dropped from 10 to 29 inches of rain across the mountains, leading to life-threatening floods and landslides," he said Sunday.
The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene, Lake Lure, NC, Sept. 28, 2024.
Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images
Water systems have been impacted and some roads have washed away, hampering the ability for officials to set up food and water distribution sites.
"We have sent bottled water in, but we also have the Army Corps of Engineers that's getting ready to start assessments today to see what we can do to help get those water systems back online quickly," Criswell said.
"We're also moving in satellite communications, Starlink satellites, into the area to help facilitate the lack of communication that part of the state is experiencing," Criswell added.
-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart and Jason Volack
1:00 PM EDT
73 unaccounted for in Tennessee's Unicoi County
Seventy-three people remain unaccounted for in Unicoi County, Tennessee, in the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, including those needing welfare checks, county officials said.
Family members hold up photographs of loved ones who have not been found by Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 in the aftermath of the flooding caused by Tropical Storm Helene in Erwin. Tenn.
Saul Young/News Sentinel/USA Today Network
One search and rescue team discovered a casket while navigating a debris field, Unicoi County Mayor Garland "Bubba" Evely said.
"We are working with the William Jenkins Forensic Center for identification and family notification. However, there are no confirmed deaths related to the floods at this time," Everly said.
Rescue helicopters land on the roof of Unicoi Hospital in Erwin, Tenn., Sept. 27, 2024.
Regan Tilson
-ABC News’ Jason Volack
11:40 AM EDT
Rescue and recovery operations ongoing in hard-hit Asheville, North Carolina
In hard-hit Buncombe County, North Carolina, which encompasses Asheville, Sunday’s clear skies "will help our crews continue intense rescue and recovery operations," county manager Avril Pinder said.
Heavy rains from hurricane Helene caused record flooding and damage in Asheville, NC, Sept. 28, 2024.
Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images
"We’re still dealing with mudslides, flooded areas and stranded individuals. Our priority remains saving every person we can," she said. "Wellness checks will have to wait."
Ten people in Buncombe County have been killed by Hurricane Helene, Sheriff Quentin Miller said.
"Our hearts are broken," he said. "We’ve lost friends, family and neighbors."
Men inspect the damage from flooding in the Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC, Sept. 28, 2024.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images
Several roads have washed away, hampering the ability for officials to set up food and water distribution sites.
"We’ve got private helicopters dropping food at key locations," said Anthony Penland, fire chief in Swannanoa, just outside of Asheville. "But we still need the community to come together and help one another."
Flood waters from the French Broad River cover the River Arts District in Asheville, NC, Sept. 28, 2024.
Jacob Biba/Citizen Times/USA Today
"We intend to have water services available soon, but we're asking for one more day of patience," Pinder said.
"We’re all going to need to lift each other up to get through this," she added.
