On Saturday, authorities reported that millions of Americans remained without power due to the severe impact of Storm Helene, which had swept through eastern and midwestern states, resulting in at least 44 fatalities. Most of the deaths occurred in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, with updated figures indicating the tragic toll the storm took across several states.

Repair teams were already on the ground after Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday. While the storm weakened as it moved northward, it nonetheless left behind significant damage and hazardous conditions, prompting the National Weather Service to announce that although improvements were expected, long-term power outages could persist.

Florida experienced the brunt of Helene’s power, with initial winds reaching speeds of 140 miles (225 kilometers) per hour. The coastal town of Cedar Key, which saw extensive destruction of homes due to record storm surges, served as a stark reminder of the hurricane's ferocity. Local officials expressed deep sadness over the loss, highlighting the community's struggles with repeated storms in recent years.

In South Carolina, emergency responders confirmed fatalities included firefighters and various residents, underscoring the storm's far-reaching impact. The devastation in Georgia was equally severe, prompting Governor Brian Kemp's office to report 15 deaths linked to the storm. Florida's Governor Ron DeSantis remarked that Helene's destruction surpassed that of previous hurricanes Idalia and Debby in the past year.

Dramatic rescue operations were underway in Tennessee, where over 50 individuals at a hospital had to be airlifted from the roof due to overwhelming floodwaters. Heavy rainfall continued in areas, with some forecasts predicting up to 12 inches in Appalachian regions, raising concerns about further flooding and potential dam breaches.

President Biden described the devastation caused by Helene as overwhelming, pledging additional support to affected regions. Meanwhile, Vice President Harris confirmed that the administration had already deployed 1,500 personnel to assist those impacted. As September turned out to be particularly rainy, scientists have pointed to human-induced climate change as a factor contributing to these extreme weather conditions.