Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc as it made landfall on September 26th, causing devastation and claiming at least 227 lives across six states in the Southeastern region of the United States. The aftermath of the Category 4 hurricane has left a trail of destruction, including washed-away homes, ruined roads, and widespread power outages. The death toll has been steadily rising, with South Carolina reporting two additional fatalities on Saturday, bringing the total count to 227. Efforts to recover and identify the deceased are ongoing, with the possibility of the number of casualties increasing further.
North Carolina bore the brunt of the storm, accounting for about half of the total number of deaths, with significant impact felt in cities like Asheville in the western mountains of the state. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has allocated over $27 million in individual assistance to North Carolinians affected by Hurricane Helene. In particular, Buncombe County, home to Asheville, has received more than $12 million in FEMA-approved aid to support survivors in their recovery efforts.
In the wake of the disaster, country music icon Dolly Parton has announced a generous donation of $1 million to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing immediate relief to flood victims of Hurricane Helene. Parton, who hails from the Tennessee mountains, expressed her empathy for the affected communities, emphasizing the need to extend a helping hand in times of distress. Her businesses and foundation have pledged to match her donation, contributing an additional $1 million to aid the recovery and rebuilding process.
To further aid in the relief efforts, Walmart has pledged a total of $10 million through its U.S. operations, including Sam’s Club and the Walmart Foundation, towards hurricane relief initiatives. The commitment aims to provide essential support to the impacted regions and assist residents in restoring their communities. Meanwhile, in towns like Newport, Tennessee, and Del Rio, cleanup and recovery efforts are underway as residents grapple with the aftermath of the catastrophic flooding brought on by Hurricane Helene. The resilience and solidarity displayed by both local residents and volunteers in the face of adversity highlight the spirit of community strength in times of crisis.
