In Pictures: Devastation and aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Carolina

Hurricane Helene's death toll has risen to 190, with hundreds missing across Southeastern states. Many were caught in historic floods, devastating communities, especially in North Carolina, where at least 94 people died. Power restoration efforts are underway, but 1.3 million customers from Florida to Virginia remain without electricity. Amid the crisis, President Biden is visiting North Carolina, while Vice President Harris and Republican nominee Trump focus on Georgia's recovery. Photo credit: @NCAviation/X

President Biden has ordered the Defense Department to send 1,000 active-duty soldiers to North Carolina to support the National Guard. These troops will help deliver supplies, including food and water, to communities cut off by flooding. Biden's administration is committed to ongoing federal support for the affected regions. Public donations are encouraged, with organizations like the Red Cross and National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster seeking assistance for Hurricane Helene survivors. Photo credit: @NCAviation/X

Amidst the tragedy, the Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating deaths at Impact Plastics in Erwin. Workers were swept away by floodwaters, raising concerns about whether they should have left earlier. The company is conducting its own internal review and cooperating with authorities. As these investigations unfold, Helene continues to devastate communities across multiple states. Photo credit: @NCAviation/X

In Asheville, North Carolina, Mission Hospital faces dire conditions with its water infrastructure destroyed by the hurricane. The hospital, like the surrounding community, lacks a steady water supply, forcing staff to dig wells for essential needs. Contaminated floodwaters pose health hazards for incoming patients. The hospital’s staff is working under extreme conditions, lacking basic sanitation facilities, and dealing with patients affected by toxic floodwaters. Photo credit: rawpixel.com / U.S. Forest Service

The devastation in Asheville is part of a broader catastrophe. Communities in Swannanoa, near Asheville, are in ruins, with residents returning to find their homes submerged or washed away. People like Beverly and Baxter Eller barely escaped the floodwaters, leaving behind severely damaged homes. Roads are impassable, and local authorities warn that the rebuilding process will be slow and difficult. Photo credit: rawpixel.com / U.S. Forest Service

The Biden administration approved increased federal aid for Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, covering 100% of costs for specific emergency response activities like debris removal, first responders, shelters, and mass feeding. The enhanced aid underscores the disaster’s magnitude and the response needed to support recovery efforts in the southeastern U.S. Photo credit: rawpixel.com / U.S. Forest Service

Rescue efforts continue, with families recounting survival stories. A North Carolina family escaped their flooded home through a laundry room window and sought refuge on the roof. Such stories are common as people navigate rising floodwaters and structural damage. With washed-out roads and disrupted services, survivors face the aftermath. Photo credit: @NCAviation/X

As federal and local resources are stretched thin, the CEO of Manna Food Bank in North Carolina highlighted the community's response as a "ray of light." Local groups have stepped up to provide essential supplies, including food and water, to those in need. Volunteers are reaching hard-to-access areas, using mules to deliver supplies to mountainous regions isolated by the storm. Photo credit: @NCAviation/X

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warns that hurricane relief funds are running low as the season progresses. With more potential storms looming, FEMA is doing what it can to meet immediate needs but may soon need additional financial support. As recovery efforts continue, the damage extent across the Southeast is becoming clearer, leaving many communities bracing for a long rebuilding road. Photo credit: @NCAviation/X