NORTH CAROLINA ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — Next week will mark six months since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina.
The storm’s impact was immense, and a new report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sheds light on just how severe the damage was. According to the latest analysis, Helene is now recognized as the second deadliest hurricane since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The storm is responsible for at least 248 confirmed deaths, with 175 directly linked to the storm’s wind and flooding. An additional 70 deaths were caused indirectly by issues like medical complications, fires, and electrocutions from downed power lines. North Carolina experienced the highest number of fatalities, with 105 deaths, followed by South Carolina at 50.
Gov. Stein signed a $524 million Helene relief package. Where is the money going?
In addition to the deaths, the storm left three people dead from unknown causes, and six others are still missing in parts of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee.
Hurricane Helene’s Reach
One of the most surprising findings from the report is how far Helene’s winds extended inland. The storm’s fast-forward motion allowed its wind gusts to reach further than many other hurricanes…