Hurricane Helene Death Toll Exceeds 50

Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, has resulted in at least 50 fatalities across several southeastern states, including 23 in South Carolina and significant casualties in Georgia and Florida. The storm has left over 4 million homes and businesses without power and caused extensive property damage, with reports of neighborhoods swamped, buildings structurally compromised, and residents trapped due to rising floodwaters. Helene's record rainfall, exceeding 15 feet in some areas, has led to widespread flooding and disruptions, prompting emergency response efforts including helicopter rescues and National Guard deployments. As the storm weakens to a post-tropical cyclone, authorities are conducting door-to-door searches and fear that the death toll may continue to rise. President Biden has approved emergency declarations for affected states in response to the disaster. The storm's lingering effects are expected to impact recovery efforts for the foreseeable future.