Hurricane Helene updates: Death toll surpasses 230 as rescue efforts continue

Helene unleashed devastation across the Southeast.

Video byLilia Geho
Last Updated: October 7, 2024, 7:41 AM EDT

More than 230 people have been killed from Hurricane Helene, which unleashed devastation across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

Helene, which made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region as a massive Category 4 hurricane, has become the deadliest mainland hurricane since Katrina in 2005.

Sep 29, 2024, 5:15 PM EDT

Helene death toll rises to 84

Buncombe County, North Carolina, which includes the city of Asheville, reported Sunday evening that 30 people had been killed due to the storm.

Eighty-four people have died across Florida, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Georgia, according to the Associated Press.

Tennessee has not reported any storm-related deaths, but as ABC News previously reported, Unicoi County officials say at least 73 people remain unaccounted for.

-ABC News' Jason Volack

Sep 29, 2024, 4:49 PM EDT

Trump to visit Valdosta, Georgia

Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to receive a briefing on the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, help distribute supplies and deliver remarks, his campaign said.

A view of storm damage at Chez What in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Valdosta, Ga., Sept. 28, 2024.
Sean Rayford/Getty Images

A damaged 100-year-old home is seen after an Oak tree landed on the home after Hurricane Helene moved through the area, Sept. 27, 2024, in Valdosta, Ga.
Mike Stewart/AP

President Joe Biden said Sunday that the photographs showing Hurricane Helene's damage are "stunning."

When asked by reporters about his message to the victims, Biden said, "It's tragic."

Amber Bertrand of Williston, hugs Tina DiLibero goodbye after Bertrand helped salvage some of DiLibero's belongings in the wake of Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Fla., Sept. 28, 2024.
Kathleen Flynn/Reuters

"My FEMA advisor is on the ground in Florida right now. … We're working hard," Biden said.

Asked by ABC News if there are more resources the federal government could be providing, Biden responded, "No, we've given them. We have pre-planned a significant amount, even though they didn't ask for it yet -- hadn't asked for it yet."

-ABC News’ Michelle Stoddart

Sep 29, 2024, 4:01 PM EDT

25 dead in South Carolina

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

Sep 29, 2024, 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.

PHOTO: 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.
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.
North Carolina Division Of Aviation via EPA via Shutterstock

"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