Hurricane Helene has caused catastrophic destruction across the southeastern United States, claiming at least 162 lives in six states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with search teams facing challenges due to washed-out roads and widespread power outages affecting 1.5 million homes and businesses. President Biden plans to visit the hardest-hit areas, emphasizing the urgency of recovery efforts that will require billions of dollars. North Carolina's Buncombe County, which includes Asheville, has reported the highest fatalities, with the death toll expected to rise as search operations continue. Governor Roy Cooper described the devastation as communities being 'wiped off the map,' and emergency services are working tirelessly to reach isolated neighborhoods. The National Weather Service has warned of potential landslides in unstable mountainous regions due to ongoing weather conditions.