Death toll from hurricane Helene rises to 227 as grim task of recovering bodies continues

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The death toll from Hurricane Helene rose to 227 on Saturday, as recovery efforts continued over a week after the powerful storm tore through the southeastern United States. Helene, which made landfall on September 26 as a Category 4 hurricane, wreaked havoc across six states, leaving behind widespread destruction. Homes were washed away, roads were obliterated, and millions were left without power and communication services.

On Friday, the death toll stood at 225, but two additional deaths were reported in South Carolina on Saturday. Officials are still unclear on how many people remain missing, and the number of fatalities could continue to climb. Helene now ranks as the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Approximately half of the victims were in North Carolina, while other deaths occurred in Georgia and South Carolina.

The city of Asheville in North Carolina was particularly hard-hit, with floodwaters from the French Broad River devastating businesses and homes. Workers are still in the process of cleaning up, using machinery to remove mud and debris. North Carolina residents have received over $27 million in federal disaster relief, with more than 83,000 people applying for assistance. In Buncombe County, where Asheville is located, over $12 million in aid has been distributed to survivors, according to FEMA regional administrator MaryAnn Tierney.

Tierney emphasized the importance of registering for disaster assistance, which provides immediate relief for essential needs, such as food, water, and medicine, and helps with displacement costs for those unable to return to their homes.

The impacts of Helene were felt far inland, including in the mountains of Tennessee, where iconic country music star Dolly Parton announced a $1 million donation to the Mountain Ways Foundation, a nonprofit organization aiding flood victims. Parton's businesses and the Dollywood Foundation will also contribute an additional $1 million, matching her initial donation. Parton expressed her deep connection to the mountain communities, noting how many of the victims grew up in areas similar to her own upbringing. She encouraged others to offer support during this challenging time.

Retail giant Walmart, through its subsidiaries Sam's Club and the Walmart Foundation, also pledged $10 million to hurricane recovery efforts.

In Newport, Tennessee, residents continued their clean-up efforts on Saturday. The Pigeon River overflowed, causing significant damage to homes, businesses, and public buildings, including City Hall and the police department. In nearby Del Rio, along the French Broad River, volunteers worked to clear fallen trees and debris, as homes sustained severe damage, with one house even sliding off its foundation.

As the region begins to recover, communities are relying on federal aid, donations, and local volunteer efforts to help them rebuild in the aftermath of this devastating storm.