(TheRedAlertNews.com) – Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc on the Carolinas, leaving extensive power outages and nearly a million people without electricity.
See a video of the Hurricane Helene aftermath in the YouTube post below!
Hurricane Helene’s passage through the Southeast has caused significant damage to power infrastructure.
Duke Energy reports over 370 substations have been affected, with many areas inundated by floodwaters, complicating restoration efforts.
The substantial flooding means many regions could experience prolonged power outages.
Duke Energy has attempted to expedite recovery by deploying mobile substations.
Jennifer Garber, a Duke spokeswoman, stated, “The vast majority of those outages were caused by damaged power lines, and many substations have already been restored.” However, challenges like accessibility in flooded areas have made this a daunting task.
Federal agencies are heavily involved in the response efforts. Over 4,500 federal personnel, including more than 1,000 from FEMA, are on the ground in the affected states.
They have shipped over 7.1 million meals, 6.5 million liters of water, 150 generators, and 200,000 tarps to the impacted regions.
Residents can apply for federal assistance through FEMA online, by phone, or via the FEMA App.
The agency has also emphasized the importance of Crisis Cleanup services, offering help such as tree cutting, roof tarping, and mold mitigation.
“People can receive free services like cutting fallen trees, tarping roofs and mold mitigation with the help of Crisis Cleanup by calling 844-965-1386,” FEMA said.
President Biden plans to visit North Carolina to meet with community leaders and first responders.
Meanwhile, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper described the situation as communities being “wiped off the map.”
Over 150,000 households have already registered for FEMA assistance as they try to piece their lives back together.
The extensive damage isn’t limited to just power outages. Search and rescue crews, including cadaver dogs, are tirelessly working in western North Carolina.
Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains have seen severe damage, with fatalities reported. Emergency crews are focusing on clearing roads, restoring power, and reaching stranded individuals.
“Communities were wiped off the map,” North Carolina’s governor, Roy Cooper, said at a news conference Tuesday, cited by NBC Miami.
With over 134 deaths, Hurricane Helene has become one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history.
Tragically, the storm has also surpassed the death toll of Hurricane Hugo in South Carolina, with 36 lives lost.
To make matters worse, nearly two dozen water plants in North Carolina remain non-operational, contributing to the logistical nightmare of delivering aid.
Flooding has reached historic levels, with more than two feet of rain in some areas, resulting in the worst flooding in a century.
“Residents should not travel to western North Carolina to keep the roadways clear for search and rescue teams and utility crews,” FEMA advised.
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