Officials report that at least 130 people have died in the Southeast following Helene

Hurricane Helene left behind widespread destruction across the South on Monday, exposing a wasteland of broken homes, smashed cargo containers, and mud-covered roads in one of the worst hurricanes to ever hit the country.

Authorities were racing to airdrop food, restore power, and clear roads after Hurricane Helene's intense rains left many trapped and without shelter, as the storm's death toll increased to at least 130 across six states in the Southeast.

On Monday morning, President Biden said that he would be visiting the disaster area later this week. According to the president, he did not want to prematurely assess the damage and take resources away from emergency operations.

“There are reports of up to 600 people unaccounted for because they can’t be contacted,” Mr. Biden said from the White House. “God willing, they’re alive.”

The damage in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, where Governor Roy Cooper predicted that the death toll would probably grow, has been particularly severe. Landslides and floods have completely destroyed small villages and neighborhoods throughout the area, and Asheville's drinking water supply has sustained significant damage.

About 94,000 people live in the city, and officials have been working to bring in drinkable water, the Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Monday. However, officials are unaware of the full extent of the devastation in many difficult-to-reach areas due to a lack of cellular connection, massive power outages, and blocked roads.

Throughout the South, there have been issues with phone and power service. By Monday midday, more than two million customers—the majority of whom were in South Carolina—from Florida to Ohio still lacked electricity.

Rebuilding after the extensive destruction of homes and property would be challenging and take time, officials cautioned. Life in the Southeast was turned upside down by the storm, and deaths were also reported in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and Virginia.

There were 56 fatalities in North Carolina. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared on Monday that 30 people had perished in the hurricane.

A representative for the Georgia Emergency Management Agency stated that at least 25 people died in Georgia. 11 individuals lost their lives in Florida, 10 of them in Pinellas County. 2 people died in Virginia and 4 weather-related deaths were verified in Tennessee.

Following days of difficulty due to washed-out roadways, North Carolina Emergency Management is striving to provide additional supplies, such as food and water, to areas affected by flooding, Director Will Ray announced on Monday.

“We are continuing to ramp up pushes of commodities, particularly water and MREs (ready-to-eat meals), as well as fuel and other resources into the impacted communities,” he said.

In order to get those items out, the state is also boosting the amount of trucks and air support. He stated that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is collaborating with the state to maintain those levels for the upcoming several weeks.

Donald J. Trump, the former president, stopped in Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday and gave a quick speech to reporters and supporters. He gave thanks to emergency responders and municipal authorities for their efforts. “We’re here today to stand in complete solidarity with the people of Georgia and with all of those suffering in the terrible aftermath of Hurricane Helene,” he said.