Emergency services across the US are grappling with washed-out bridges and debris-strewn roads in search of survivors of the devastating Hurricane Helen, which killed at least 63 people in five states and caused widespread power outages.
Helen hit Florida as a Category 4 hurricane and headed north, gradually weakening but leaving in its wake downed trees, downed power lines and houses destroyed by mudslides.
States of emergency were declared in six states - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. More than 800 Federal Emergency Management Administration personnel were dispatched to the scene.
In affected municipalities along the East Coast and in the Midwest, storm victims and volunteers are trying to cope with the difficult situation.
“There are only a few businesses open. They have limited supplies. I'm worried about families with children, if they're going to be able to get a place to stay and have something to eat,” said Stephen Mauro, a resident of Valdosta, Georgia.
At least 24 people died in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, 10 in North Carolina and one in Virginia, AFP reported.
The National Weather Service said conditions "will continue to improve today after the catastrophic flooding of the past two days." | BGNES
