At least 100 people were killed as Hurricane Helene unleashed her fury across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.
President Joe Biden on Monday said at least 107 people in six states were killed. More than half of the fatalities were reported in the Carolinas alone, according to The Associated Press, with 42 people confirmed dead as of 11 a.m. EDT.
A sheriff’s deputy in Macon County was among the dead after he was swept away by the storm.
Biden said more than 600 people remain unaccounted for.
“God willing, they are alive, but there’s no way to reach them,” Biden said, noting a lack of cell service in the area.
The president described Helene as “a history-making storm,” as damage extends to up to 10 states in the Southeast, with winds at more than 120 miles-per-hour in some areas, storm surges at 15 feet, and record flooding.
“Communities are devastated,” Biden said. “[Families are] waiting not sure if their loved ones are OK. They can’t contact them because there’s no cell phone connections. Many more folks [were] displaced with no idea when they’ll be able to return to tier homes, if ever — if there’s a home to return to.”
In North Carolina, video filmed by Charlotte City Council member Tariq Bokhari shows a “post apocalyptic” scene in Lake Lure after floods decimated the area.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper predicted the death toll would rise as rescuers and other emergency workers reached areas isolated by collapsed roads, failing infrastructure and widespread flooding.
Biden vowed to travel to the impacted states as soon as it is safe. He said he was advised to wait for now, but anticipated he will get the green light to head there at some point later this week.
“I’ve been told that would be disruptive if I do that right now,” he said. “We will not risk the response that’s needed. My first response is to get all the help needed to those impacted areas.”
Biden said he is in “constant contact” with state and local leaders, as well as the head of FEMA, who he said is in Asheville, where they will stay “for the foreseeable future.” The president added that more than 3,600 personnel members have been deployed, as well.
Biden said officials rushed to get more water, food and other supplies to flood-stricken areas without power and cellular service. Supplies were being airlifted to the region around the isolated city of Asheville. Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder pledged that she would have food and water to the city.
“We hear you. We need food and we need water,” Pinder said on a Sunday call with reporters. “My staff has been making every request possible to the state for support and we’ve been working with every single organization that has reached out. What I promise you is that we are very close.”
Content from The National Desk is provided by Sinclair, the parent company of FOX45 News. The Associated Press contributed to this article.