**Hurricane Helene Devastates Southeastern US, More than 150 Dead**

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm, over 150 fatalities have now been confirmed. The storm’s impact was particularly severe in North Carolina, where floodwaters have claimed dozens of lives, especially in Buncombe County.

“Communities were wiped off the map,” stated North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, describing the catastrophic scale of destruction. Entire areas in the state remain submerged, exacerbating an already dire situation. Prior to Helene’s arrival, Asheville and the surrounding western North Carolina towns had experienced heavy rainfall, further complicating flood management efforts.

The storm brought over two feet of rain to parts of southern Appalachia, intensifying the extent of the flooding. In response to the disaster, President Joe Biden is set to visit North Carolina on Wednesday. His visit aims to include a survey of the damage and an assessment of the recovery efforts underway.