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In the wake of Hurricane Helene, North Carolina continues its search and rescue missions, aiming to provide aid to those stranded by impassable roads and downed cellphone towers. The powerful storm, which wreaked havoc on multiple southeastern states, has claimed over 100 lives, with the death toll expected to rise further as rescue crews reach isolated areas.

Governor Roy Cooper emphasized the dire situation in North Carolina, noting the widespread loss of essential services. "There are a lot of people hurting. When you don't have power, when you don't have cellphone service, when you don't have water, this is a catastrophic situation for you," Cooper stated. He revealed that the state is coordinating efforts with 92 search and rescue teams from 20 states and the federal government, focusing primarily on the devastated Appalachian Mountains region.

Emergency response teams have been working tirelessly, delivering critical supplies to affected areas. On Monday alone, workers distributed a million liters of water, 600,000 meals, and hundreds of pallets of airlifted provisions. Despite these efforts, the challenges remain immense, with around 300 roads in North Carolina closed and over 7,000 individuals seeking assistance from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The hurricane, which first struck the Florida Gulf coast as a highly destructive force on Thursday, has left widespread devastation across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. According to the website Poweroutage.us, more than 1.7 million homes and businesses remained without power on Tuesday morning. In particular, 625,000 customers in South Carolina and 468,000 in Georgia were affected.

Georgia's Governor Brian Kemp confirmed at least 25 fatalities in the state, while South Carolina reported 29 deaths. National media outlets, including CNN, have placed the overall death toll at 128, with North Carolina alone suffering 56 losses. Many individuals are still unaccounted for, though authorities expect this number to decrease as communication lines are restored and rescue teams access remote areas.

The scene is particularly grim in Buncombe County, North Carolina, which includes the popular tourist destination of Asheville. The county has reported 40 deaths, highlighting the storm's devastating impact. John Templeton, a 46-year-old evacuee, described the severe conditions, reflecting on his experiences in disaster zones during Hurricanes Harvey and Katrina. As he evacuated Asheville, he witnessed a convoy of National Guard vehicles and supply trucks heading in to provide much-needed aid.

President Joe Biden has announced plans to visit North Carolina on Wednesday, followed by trips to Georgia and Florida. In light of the extensive damage and loss of life, Biden is considering asking Congress to reconvene for a special session to pass additional aid funding.