Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across five states, leaving at least 49 people dead and millions without power as the Category 4 storm unleashed life-threatening flooding and destructive winds. The hurricane made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, tearing through South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia and parts of Ohio. Helene’s damage was catastrophic—hundreds of homes were destroyed, roads became impassable and entire communities were submerged under floodwaters.

In South Carolina, 19 deaths were reported, including two firefighters, while Georgia saw 15 fatalities, with two people killed by a tornado. Florida, North Carolina and Virginia also reported deaths caused by flooding, fallen trees and wrecked vehicles. Rescue operations are underway, with thousands of National Guardsmen deployed across the region to help those stranded by the storm.

North Carolina faced some of the worst flooding in modern history, with more than 100 people rescued from high waters and rainfall totals exceeding 2 feet in the state’s mountainous regions. Meanwhile, over 3 million people across multiple states remain without power as Helene’s remnants continue to threaten more flooding and damage.

Helene has also severely disrupted travel and delivery services, with hundreds of roads closed, Amtrak cancellations and suspended delivery operations in several states. Rescue missions remain critical, especially in Tennessee, where 50 people were rescued from a hospital roof due to rising floodwaters.

Though Helene has weakened to a post-tropical cyclone, officials warn that the threat from flooding and damaged infrastructure persists. Governors across the Southeast have urged residents to remain cautious as recovery efforts continue.