With multiple states still recovering from the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, the death toll has risen to more than 200, making it the deadliest mainland storm since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, according to CNN .
The storm struck communities across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia, with North Carolina suffering the highest number of casualties.
In Asheville, North Carolina, officials reported 200 people unaccounted for and 72 confirmed dead.
The full extent of the devastation has not yet been realized, as many people remain missing, with estimates in the hundreds. The situation has been exacerbated by widespread power outages, causing cell service disruptions and hampering communication.
Cell service is slowly being restored. Frank Matranga, FEMA’s director of individual assistance, reported that fewer than 50% of cell sites were still down.
“Restoring power and communication isn’t just about making things more comfortable; it’s about keeping people safe, informed and able to access the services they need,” Matranga said, per CNN.