Helene leaves 'biblical devastation' as death toll climbs to 90: Updates

ASHEVILLE, N.C. − More than 2 million people remained without power late Sunday across the Southeast in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, including more than 430,000 in North Carolina, where the deadly storm pulverized homes, trapped residents, spawned landslides, and submerged communities under raging floodwaters.

At least 90 people have died across multiple states since the record-breaking storm hit Florida's Big Bend as a Category 4 hurricane with 140-mph winds Thursday, before moving north through Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas and weakening to a post-tropical cyclone. The death toll is expected to rise.

On Sunday, North Carolina officials were still trying to grasp the level of devastation. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said at a news conference that at least 11 people died in the devastated state, "and tragically we know there will be more."

Buncombe County Manager Avril Pinder said more than 1,000 people were reported missing through the county’s online portal but added that she expected the number to drop dramatically when cell service is restored. Rescue crews are “still trying to save every single person we can” in the hard-hit community, Pinder said.

Hundreds of roads were washed away, cellular service for over 250,000 people was cut off, and vast swaths of cities such as Asheville were left underwater. Cooper said Helene had become "one of the worst storms in modern history for parts of North Carolina."

Officials said earlier that more than 200 people had been rescued in the state by water and helicopter crews.

Ryan Cole, the assistant director of Buncombe County Emergency Services, said the wreckage was overwhelming. "We have biblical devastation through the county. We’ve had biblical flooding here,” Cole said.

Deaths in eastern Tennessee as communities remain underwater

At least two people in eastern Tennessee have died due to the recent devastation caused by Helene, officials said Sunday. One death was confirmed in Unicoi County and the other in Johnson County.

"We do expect this number to change," spokesperson Myron Hughes of the Unicoi County Emergency Management Agency said during a 5 p.m. news conference. Tennessee officials reported that 153 people were still unaccounted for in the state as of Sunday afternoon.

Many communities across eastern Tennessee were still underwater and coping with crumbled roads, unsteady bridges, and devastated utility systems. The remnants of Helene brought rivers to record levels and forced evacuations.

Local schools remained closed, including Carter County Schools which will likely be closed "for an indefinite period of time due to the ongoing disruptions," count spokesperson Ivan Sanders said. In Elizabethton, Sycamore Shores Hospital had shut down but nearby hospitals were up and running, according to Sanders.

— Areena Arora, Knoxville News Sentinel

Power returning to many in North Carolina, but drivers hindering repair efforts

Cooper said the number of customers without power is down from more than 1 million to 464,000 on Sunday afternoon, and efforts are underway to restore cellphone service to the thousands without it.

Attempts to provide relief and make repairs are hindered by residents driving in areas impacted by the storm, state officials said at an afternoon news conference, urging people to stay home.

"Travel in western North Carolina remains limited and dangerous," Cooper said, pointing out 280 roads are closed, including sections of I-40 and I-26. "Please stay off western North Carolina roads."

The governor said Helene dropped 10 to 29 inches of rain on the mountains in parts of the state, resulting in life-threatening landslides and floods. That has prompted reports of up to 1,000 missing, and for some of their loved ones to go searching for them.

“I know there are a lot of people who are concerned about relatives and friends they cannot get in touch with,’’ Cooper said. "It’s one of the reasons we’re pushing so hard to get communications back up because we know a lot of these people are just simply out of communication and are OK."

Lines for gas and cash in flooded Ashville

Residents in Asheville were scrambling for resources after widespread flooding and power outages caused gas and water shortages. Gas stations began to close on Sunday and businesses started to only accept cash, as many remain unable to process credit and debit purchases due to lack of power and spotty internet service.

In West Asheville, amid the distant clatter of chainsaws cutting through downed trees, a line gathered at BJ's Food Mart for its 9 a.m. opening. When the cash-only gas station and market opened, screams across the street could be heard: "No gas! Cash only! No gas!"

In downtown, an hour-and-a-half-long line had formed at the Wells Fargo building ATM. Residents were piling in to get cash for groceries, water, and gas. Some were trying to get out of town and others just wanted enough cash for the coming days.

"We came downtown looking for gas," Stephan Amann told the Asheville Citizen-Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. "We were in line for one of the gas stations on Merrimon, but they ran out before we got there, which was inconvenient."

Amann and his partner, who live in North Asheville, wanted to leave town but found no better options. "We've tried, but it looks like there's really nowhere to go," he said.

− Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen-Times

Helene the latest in increasing $1 billion-plus disasters

The U.S. has averaged eight yearly disasters that caused more than $1 billion in damage since 1980. But in the last five years, the number of such catastrophes has more than doubled to 18.

Helene is only the latest, and the cost of its damage is estimated at between $15 billion and $100 billion.

Scientists who study the Earth's climate and weather say storms like Helene are more likely to occur in the future, prompting an insurance crisis as insurers reduce coverage on some markets – most notably Florida for storms and California for wildfires – or withdraw from them altogether.

"Natural disasters are natural disasters," said Ian Maki, an innkeeper in Cedar Key, Florida. "But these don’t feel natural anymore."

Daughter 'powerless and helpless' trying to reach her parents

As Helene battered the Southeast, LaNette Wimer sat on hold with the Red Cross for two hours Sunday morning more than a thousand miles away in Denver.

Wimer, 59, was searching for information about her parents, Don and Brenda Holmer, who have lived in Hendersonville, North Carolina, for the past 25 years. Hendersonville is south of Asheville, where Helene swept through leaving devastation in its wake.

The last time Wimer spoke to her family they made no mention of the coming storm, and she worries her parents, who do not have cellphones or internet access, were caught unprepared. When the storm hit, Wimer began frantically watching the news, scouring social media, and calling her parents’ landlines, getting no answer.

She said the Red Cross has agreed to do a wellness check, which could take up to 48 hours. Unsure where else to turn, Wimer said she’s been left with "a lot of anxiety, a lot of fear, a lot of wondering."

"How are they eating? Do they have water? Do they have their medications?" Wimer wondered. "You just feel so powerless and helpless. Other than reaching out to anything I can find online, there's nothing I can do. It's very scary."

North Carolina residents trying to connect with family members may call NC 211 (or 1-888-892-1162 if calling from out of state) to report missing loved ones. People in the affected areas can alert others that they are safe by checking in on Facebook crisis response or reporting themselves safe through Red Cross Reunification by calling 1-800-ED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). 

How to donate and assist Helene victims

As authorities assess Helene’s destruction along a large portion of the country, rescuers and other emergency workers have been deployed to hard-hit and isolated communities. Relief efforts and funds have also been created to help victims and survivors.

Federal officials have advised against sending unsolicited donated goods or heading toward disaster-affected areas. The Federal Emergency Management Agency noted there are no requests, at the moment, for donations other than money.

Here are some organizations that accept donations to help those impacted by the storm:

• American Red Cross: Red Cross volunteers from Florida to Tennessee are helping communities by providing food, disaster supplies, shelter, and additional assistance. The organization is taking donations to fund relief efforts.
• The Salvation Army: The organization has deployed teams to provide emergency aid, food, and long-term recovery services for survivors and rescue workers. To contribute to its efforts, visit its Hurricane Helene relief donation page here.
• GoFundMe: GoFundMe has set up a dedicated hub with verified fundraisers for people and communities affected by the storm’s devastation. The company also has its own Hurricane Relief Fund, which provides cash grants to those who need help.
• Americares: The nonprofit focuses on emergency medical relief and has set up a donation page to help communities recover from Helene.
• All Hands and Hearts: The volunteer-based organization assists in short-term and long-term disaster recovery efforts and has launched a Helene fund to help with its 12-month response.

Tracking the monster storm:Maps show Hurricane Helene's 800-mile path of destruction across southeastern US

Asheville bears brunt of 'heartbreaking' devastation

On Sunday, officials in western North Carolina continued to search for flood victims.

Asheville Police Chief Michael Lamb said his department has a list of about 60 people with relatives they had not been able to reach. His department planned "welfare checks" at homes to check those individuals.

Helene wiped out large parts of Asheville, including businesses in the beloved River Arts District. Overlooking the district, the Riverlink Bridge, a central gateway between downtown and West Asheville, has become a sort of hub for gathering as residents reel from the historic damage caused by Helene. The French Broad River crested at a record 24.67 feet Friday and was still well above its banks at 12.68 feet Sunday around noon, according to NOAA.

Erin Quevedo, the owner of Balm Salon on Depot Street, was ankle-deep in mud attempting to save what she could of her business.

"The salon was completely destroyed. It looks like the water came up to about five feet inside," Quevedo said. Five hair stylists worked at the salon along with her.

"Right now, all we're doing is we're trying to salvage what we can," she said, noting that only a few things, such as hairstyle tools, were salvageable. "It's really heartbreaking. I'm not really sure what we're going to do. I think it's just kind of one step at a time."

On Tennessee-North Carolina border, ravaged homes and roads

ERWIN, Tenn. − In parts of Appalachian eastern Tennessee near the North Carolina border, the damage from Helene’s deluge was evident Sunday in washed-out bridges, closed roads, destroyed buildings and lack of power for some residents.

Unicoi County officials said restoring power could take weeks. Some residents said they had relatives who were still missing. 

At a church shelter in Greeneville run by the Red Cross, volunteers made pancakes early Sunday for a handful of people still sleeping on cots after being forced from their homes. In Erwin, a town of about 6,000, those impacted by the storm streamed into a local high school serving as a shelter to get hot food, bottled water and clothing. Many were trying to figure out what to do next.

− Chris Kenning

Dire situation taking a mental toll

Many Asheville, North Carolina, residents expressed concerns over access to water as grocery and convenience stores have rapidly run out of supplies. Grocery stores have metered customer entrances, and the city and county had yet to establish water distribution sites as of early Sunday afternoon.

Brandi Hayes, 37, and four of her children stood in a long, snaking line of more than 100 people outside the Ingles Markets in west Asheville on Sunday, hoping to buy water, bread, and other essential food items. This was one of the few open grocery stores they could find.

Hayes ran out of water Saturday morning and said she's gathered water from a nearby creek to flush the toilet. She tried to call her 18-year-old daughter, a student at Western Carolina University in North Carolina, to let her know she was OK, but there was no answer.

Hayes' 12-year-old son tried to console her as she broke down in tears and acknowledged the mental toll the disaster was taking on them.

“We keep talking about (what) we’re thankful for,” Hayes said. “Some people don’t have homes.”

− Jacob Biba and Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen-Times

In West Virginia, fretting about daughter in North Carolina

In West Virginia, where the storm has left more than 35,000 homes and businesses without power, Twyla Bosley is waiting to hear back from her daughter, Sorida Gain.

Gain was riding out the storm in Marion, North Carolina, with her boyfriend, James McKinney, their dogs and chickens. Bosley said the last time they spoke Gain, 40, told her floodwaters had started to breach their basement.

“That's been the last thing I've heard,” Bosley said. “I mean, I lost count of how many missing-person reports I made. I’ve been in contact with the sheriff's department in Marion and nothing yet.”

Bosley said she’s trying to stay positive, knowing that the lack of cell service and internet access is likely what’s preventing her daughter from reaching out. Still, she can’t help but worry after seeing images of the widespread flooding in Asheville, less than 40 miles southwest of Marion.

“My mind goes to the worst-case scenario, you know, what if something did happen to her? What if she got trapped there?” Bosley said. “My daughter has a major fear of flood waters. She's scared to death of ‘em. I'm just hoping that she got away.”

A scramble for survival:No time for shoes as Asheville family flees by boat, fearing they lost everything

Over 2 feet of rain swamps North Carolina mountains

Over 2 feet of rain had fallen across North Carolina's mountainous region in recent days because of a rare confluence of weather patterns over the eastern U.S. before Helene arrived in Florida on Thursday night.

Tiny Busick in Yancey County along the western border with Tennessee, recorded 29.58 inches in just 48 hours. In Asheville, record high levels were set on the French Broad River and the Swannanoa River near the Biltmore estate. The historic Biltmore Village nearby was nearly submerged after Helene tore through the area, according to aerial footage.

At least 5,000 emergency calls to 911 were fielded since Thursday. And with more than 200 North Carolinians requiring rescue following Helene’s torrential rains, local, state and federal officials mobilized to help. Read more here.

− Josh Meyer and Dinah Voyles Pulver

Thousands of National Guard Troops deployed

Thousands of members of the National Guard have been mobilized to join search and rescue missions and clear debris after Helene battered the Southeast.

The bulk of National Guard members were deployed in Florida, where 3,900 were stationed across 21 counties to offer humanitarian relief and security as well as cleaning up debris and rescuing residents from rising floodwaters.

Hundreds more were activated in Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, Virginia and Tennessee, where members rescued 50 patients and staff from a hospital in Unicoi County who were trapped because of extreme flooding.

Madison County, Florida, residents recall horrors of Helene

Hurricane Helene made landfall around 11:10 p.m. Thursday just east of the Aucilla River's mouth, roughly 40 minutes south of Madison County, Florida.

Winds ripped the roof off Kenneth Butler's home, which had just been fixed after Hurricane Idalia damaged it last year. During Helene on Thursday, "it sounded like someone was grabbing tin and just throwing it everywhere," he said.

Water drenched the home as the storm raged on. All he and his family could hear was the sound of a train whistle.

Doreen Gross and the five grandchildren who live with her did not take any chances. Gross said her boss had a fully furnished, unoccupied house he was planning to sell and let them stay in it for the storm.

But the home's sturdy walls didn't shield them from the wails of the winds. "The whole house was rattling, (the kids) were all scared," Gross said. "We were all bundled together."

It was the scariest thing she had ever seen, Gross said − and she survived Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Looking outside Thursday night was like watching a scene from "The Wizard of Oz," she said.

− Elena Barrera, the Tallahassee Democrat

Biden briefed on Hurricane Helene impact

President Joe Biden signed a major disaster declaration for North Carolina and ordered federal aid to supplement local recovery efforts. Biden also approved emergency disaster relief aid for Tennessee as local officials warned the Nolichucky Dam in Greene County was on the brink of failure and urged about 100,000 residents to seek higher ground. Hours later, the National Weather Service ended its "flash flood emergency," but a flood warning was still in effect.

FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell will travel to Georgia on Sunday and North Carolina on Monday, the White House said, as part of the administration's effort to speed support to survivors and deploy more search and rescue teams to "accelerate recovery efforts" in North Carolina.

How many people are without power?

The worst power outages from Helene were in South Carolina, where nearly more than 761,000 homes and businesses were in the dark as of 11 p.m. ET, according to USA TODAY's power outage tracker.

In Georgia, more than 583,000 were without power, in addition to about 432,000 in North Carolina. Florida also had more than 137,000 customers without electricity, and Virginia had over 104,000.

Authorities have warned it will take days for services to be fully restored.

Why was Helene so destructive?

Forecasters began warning last Tuesday that a confluence of weather patterns was coming together that would likely soak the Southeast and even farther north. A front overhead was going to interact with a plume of moisture being pulled in ahead of Helene.

The rain "started well ahead of the storm, training up from the Gulf into our area, and circulation around the storm pushed moisture up from the extremely warm Gulf waters," said David Easterling, a rain expert with NOAA's National Climate Assessment Technical Support Unit.

Interactions like this, with a band of moisture ahead of a tropical storm or hurricane, are called predecessor events and they’ve been documented in the past to cause heavy rains ahead of the arrival of tropical storms and hurricanes. Jet stream winds blowing aloft at more than 115 mph provided lift that further enhanced moisture in the developing storms.

Along the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina on Wednesday and Thursday, almost 10 inches of rain fell in Asheville and 8 inches in Tryon, according to preliminary weather service data. Another 6 fell over the two days in Bristol-Johnson, Tennessee, and more than 4 inches in Knoxville.

−Dinah Voyles-Pulver

Are other storms brewing in the Atlantic?

Forecasters were keeping watch on the Atlantic as hurricane season approaches its last two months.

Tropical Storm Joyce, which formed in the central Atlantic Ocean on Friday, was about 920 miles east-northeast of the Leeward Islands late Sunday and was gradually weakening. There was no threat to land. 

Hurricane Isaac was about 535 miles north-northwest of the Azores moving over the open Atlantic, hurricane officials said. There was also no current threat to land.

An 11 p.m. ET advisory from the National Hurricane Center noted a tropical depression in the eastern tropical Atlantic, currently known simply as "12," is expected to strengthen over the open Atlantic over the next several days. However, it's not expected to threaten the U.S.

Contributing: Michael Loria and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY; Reuters