Hurricane Helene latest: ‘Post-apocalyptic’ scenes in North Carolina as death toll feared to be in hundreds
Death toll continues to climb with at least 133 people killed by Helene and 600 people still missing in North Carolina’s Buncombe County
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A Charlotte City councilman has described the “post apocalyptic” scenes in storm-ravaged North Carolina after Hurricane Helene carved its way through the Southeast.
Looking out across Lake Lure, Tariq Bokhari described the storm as a “blender” taking out anything in its path, with its usually idyllic waters filled with debris. Bokhari speculated that its cleanup would take “years and years,” he told CNN.
At least 133 people have been killed after Helene crashed into Florida‘s Big Bend on Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane, before charting a path northwards through the Carolinas, Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama and Virginia. The death toll is expected to climb.
As of Tuesday morning, the death toll in North Carolina’s Buncombe County alone stands at more than 40, as 600 people remain unaccounted for. Governor Roy Cooper told CNN on Monday that communities there were “wiped off that map”.
Hundreds of roads remain closed with five bridges near the Tennessee-North Carolina border on I-40 “completely gone”. More than 1.5m people are still without power.
President Joe Biden said he plans to visit North Carolina on Wednesday, while former president Donald Trump arriving in Valdosta, Georgia, to survey recovery efforts in the state.
‘He’s lying’: Biden hits back at Trump on storm Helene as he announces plans for surveying damage
Supplies are rushed to North Carolina communities left isolated after Helene
Head of FEMA says ‘historic’ destruction caused by Helene is linked to climate crisis
How Helene became the near-perfect storm to bring widespread destruction across the South
Trump-launched Helene GoFundMe surpasses $2.2M
A GoFundMe campaign launched by former President Donald Trump to support Americans impacted by Hurricane Helene has already received more than $2.2 million in donations.
North Carolina officials say they hope to open westbound I-40 later today
North Carolina officials said at a press conference Tuesday morning that they hoped to reopen westbound I-40 later in the day.
The announcement comes after Buncombe County Government said an eastbound area of the I-40 highway had been reopened.
North Carolina governor to provide update on Helene response
Video shows North Carolina Transportation Department crews responding to Helene
DeSantis dispatches thousands of feet of temporary bridges to North Carolina
Tennessee plastics plant denies claims employees weren't told to evacuate
Tennessee’s Impact Plastics released a statement Monday denying reports that factory staff were told not to evacuate.
The company said when the plant lost power and water began to cover the parking lot last Friday, employees were dismissed by management “in time for them to escape the industrial park.”
“At no time were employees told that they would be fired if they left the facility. For employees who were non-English speaking, bi-lingual employees were among the group of managers who delivered the message,” the company said. “While most employees left immediately, some remained on or near the premises for unknown reasons.”
Senior management and assistants, Impact Plastics said, were the last to exit the building. Some employees left using a truck driven by a driver employed by a neighboring company. The truck tipped over and “five employees and a contractor aboard the truck went missing.” Five others also on the truck were later evacuated.
“Senior management sought emergency responders to attempt further rescue of employees. A National Guard helicopter was subsequently dispatched that rescued five employees who were airlifted to safety,” the company said.
This comes after reports that managers would not let employees leave, and weren’t communicative.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper thanks first responders
Asheville will distribute drinking water through this evening
Biden approves emergency disaster declaration for 11 Georgia counties
President Biden has approved an emergency disaster declaration for 11 Georgia counties.
Those counties include Appling, Brooks, Coffee, Columbia, Jefferson, Liberty, Lowndes, Pierce, Richmond, Tattnall, and Toombs.
Officials reportedly say Governor Brian Kemp is asking for more, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
But, the White House notes damage assessments are continuing in other areas and counties.
It said that “additional forms of assistance may be designated after the assessments are fully completed.”
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