Helene claimed 17 lives in Georgia, over 100 across 4 states, recovery efforts continue

Recovery efforts are ongoing across Georgia’s 159 counties following the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Helene. The storm caused widespread destruction, severe flooding, and claimed at least 17 lives.

As of Sunday, more than 400,000 people remained without power after Helene swept into South Georgia as a Category 2 hurricane early Friday morning. The storm damaged homes, flooded neighborhoods, and disrupted operations at numerous United States Postal Service facilities throughout the state.

Death Toll and Widespread Destruction
State officials confirmed at least 17 deaths in Georgia. The overall death toll across Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas reached over 100 by Sunday, according to NPR. Many of the fatalities were caused by downed trees, particularly in areas like Augusta and McDuffie County.

Flooding Risks Remain
While Atlanta avoided the worst of the storm, the city still faces severe flooding after recording its highest 48-hour rainfall total since the 19th century. Heavy rainfall from the storm, combined with an earlier cold front, caused local creeks and streams such as Nancy Creek and Peachtree Creek to rise above major flood levels. Downed trees and power lines have complicated efforts to reach victims in the hardest-hit areas.

In Cobb County, flooding, downed trees, and power lines have plagued numerous areas, leaving roads closed and businesses, including the popular restaurant Canoe, underwater once again. Thousands of residents were left without power as flood levels rose across various parts, especially those near the Chattahoochee River area.

Efforts to Clear Roads and Restore Power
The storm left behind a chaotic scene, with debris and fallen trees hampering rescue efforts. James Stallings, director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency, emphasized that teams from GEMA and the National Guard are working tirelessly to clear roads, restore power, and ensure that healthcare facilities can operate. He urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, noting that cleanup operations can be as dangerous as the storm itself. A GEMA team member was injured during cleanup after stepping on a live power line, highlighting the ongoing hazards.

Tragic Losses Across the State
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp confirmed that one of the storm’s fatalities was a first responder. Vernon “Leon” Davis, assistant chief of the Blackshear Fire Department, lost his life when a tree fell on his truck early Friday morning in Pierce County.

Multiple deaths were also reported in McDuffie County, including a 27-year-old mother and her 1-month-old twin sons, who were killed when a tree crashed through their mobile home. An 89-year-old woman in Dearing died when a tree fell on her house. In Richmond County, Coroner Mark Bowen reported five fatalities, all caused by falling trees.

In Grovetown, a 77-year-old man was killed when a large tree fell on his mobile home. A similar incident in Washington County claimed the lives of two young children, ages 7 and 4, when a tree struck their home and ignited a fire.

A tragic accident in Dublin resulted in the death of Charles Douglas Brownlee, who was inside his home when several pine trees fell onto his roof. Additionally, 48-year-old Angela Edwards of Kentucky died when a tree struck the 18-wheeler she was traveling in near Dublin.

Federal Assistance Mobilized
The White House announced that it had approved emergency declaration requests from the governors of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. This authorization allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide emergency response assistance to the affected states. Additionally, approximately 1,500 federal disaster response personnel have been deployed to the region to support recovery efforts.

Moody’s Analytics said it expects $15 billion to $26 billion in property damage from Helene.