Hurricane Helene claims hundreds of lives across six states

Hurricane Helene has caused at least 221 deaths from catastrophic flooding, wind and storm surge, making it the deadliest U.S. hurricane since Katrina.

Dan Stillman reports for The Washington Post.

In short:

• Helene’s landfall as a Category 4 storm in Florida caused widespread devastation across the southeast U.S.
• The mountainous regions of western North Carolina saw the highest death toll due to severe flooding after 20 to 30 inches of rain fell.
• The death toll is expected to rise as many individuals remain unaccounted for across six states.

Why this matters:

As climate change drives more intense hurricanes, communities face increasing risks of catastrophic damage from storm surges, flooding and extreme winds. Stronger, slower-moving storms mean greater threats to lives and property, emphasizing the need for better preparedness and resilience.