(Reuters) -Southeastern U.S. states started a massive cleanup and recovery effort on Sunday after winds, rain and storm surges from Hurricane Helene snuffed out power for millions, destroyed roads and bridges and caused catastrophic flooding from Florida to Virginia.
The storm caused at least 60 deaths, according to state and local officials in South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. Officials feared still more bodies would be discovered across several states.
Damage estimates ranged from $15 billion to more than $100 billion, insurers and forecasters said over the weekend. Property damage and lost economic output will become more clear as officials assess the destruction.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator, Deanne Criswell, on Sunday cited significant damage to water systems, communications and critical transportation routes.
The U.S. government has enough resources to cope with the disaster, Criswell said on CBS’ “Face the Nation,” but the recovery will be difficult.