**Hurricane Helene Devastates Southeast, Leaving Dozens Dead and Millions Without Power**

After striking Florida's Gulf Coast as a ferocious Category 4 hurricane, Helene wreaked havoc across the Southeast, causing unprecedented rainfall and flooding in Georgia and the Carolinas. The storm has resulted in dozens of fatalities and left millions of residents without electricity.

Western North Carolina experienced some of the worst impacts of the storm. Floodwaters from Helene swamped rivers, demolished roads, and severed communication lines, making rescue operations exceedingly difficult. Particularly hard-hit was Buncombe County, North Carolina, where at least 30 people have died due to the storm, and hundreds remain unaccounted for.

Asheville, North Carolina, faced catastrophic flooding when the Swannanoa River overflowed. The river reached a record crest of 26.1 feet at the Biltmore Estate, surpassing previous highs by nearly six feet. The flooding has caused severe damage throughout the region, demonstrating the devastating power of Hurricane Helene.

The aftermath of Helene is visible in photos capturing the widespread destruction, illustrating the scale of the disaster that has profoundly impacted the Southeast United States.