Hurricane Helene death toll rockets amid fears more bodies will be discovered as Southwestern states begin massive cleanup
Daily MailStates across the Southeastern U.S. started a massive cleanup and recovery effort on Sunday after winds, rain and storm surges from Hurricane Helene knocked out power for millions, destroyed roads and bridges, and caused catastrophic flooding. The North Carolina mountain town of Asheville has faced a massive amount of destruction following the storm Relief efforts continue in Asheville area where a major disaster due to Tropical Storm Helene has left communities devastated, roads impassable and thousands without power Members of the FEMA Massachusetts Task Force 1 conduct search and rescue in floodwaters caused by Hurricane Helene in Haywood County, North Carolina Residents walk along Catawba Avenue while debris is cleared in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Old Fort, North Carolina An aerial view of a home that was destroyed by fire as a result of storm surge as Hurricane Helene passed off shore in the Davis Islands neighborhood in Tampa, Florida North Carolina recorded the highest death toll with at least 36 dead. Wilson said their beloved dog's ashes were found after the flooding Vehicles damaged from flooding and debris are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Old Fort, North Carolina Two vehicles lie upended from flooding in Old Fort, North Carolina A sign advising residents to boil their tap water is seen after Helene passed offshore in St. Petersburg, Florida Recovery workers deflate a flood barrier at HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital after Helene passed offshore in St. Petersburg, Florida A flood barrier is deflated at HCA Florida Pasadena Hospital following Helene Flooding and damage caused by the storm that started as Hurricane Helene covering streets in Erwin, Tennessee The Army Corps of Engineers will start assessing damage to water systems on Sunday to help them get back online, FEMA said. Taylor estimates he's lost over a million dollars in tools, vehicles and homes A view of a home that was destroyed by fire as a result of storm surge as Hurricane Helene passed off shore in the Davis Islands neighborhood in Tampa, Florida People fill their vehicles's gas tanks and mobile tanks at an Exxon station off Highway 40 in Marion, North Carolina Tommy Taylor looks inside at his 1972 Chevy Camaro for the first time in the aftermath of Helene in Old Fort, North Carolina Flood-damaged road is seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene The southeastern United States has been plunged into crisis as the aftermath of Hurricane Helene continues to wreak havoc across multiple states James Ellenburg reacts inside his house following Hurricane Helene, in Horseshoe Beach, Florida James Ellenburg stood on the property where his own family has lived for four generations. Leslie Merian and her husband David Hall survey the damage to their home and hotel after Hurricane Helene passed through the Florida panhandle, in Spring Warrior Fish Camp, Florida 'No one thinks of us back here,' said David Hall, as he and his wife dug through seagrass and dead fish in the office of the hotel they owned David Hall surveys the damage to his home and hotel after Hurricane Helene passed through Crews work to clean up the tons of sand and debris pushed onto Gulf Boulevard from Hurricane Helene storm surge, in Madeira Beach, Florida A condominium swimming pool filled with sand from Hurricane Helene storm surge is seen in Madeira Beach, Florida People view damage while workers clear debris from a bridge on Catawba Avenue in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Old Fort, North Carolina Pfc.