At least 190 people rescued in Florida
At least 190 people were rescued by teams in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, according to an update issued by the office of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The Florida National Guard rescued 155 people via ground and air, including an 80-year-old woman who uses a wheelchair and was in a flooded building, per the update. The National Guard also rescued 56 animals.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission conducted 21 rescues in Citrus County and evacuated 45 residents from the barrier islands. Urban Search and Rescue teams rescued 13 people.
'A lot of people' displaced in Pinellas County in Helene aftermath
"A lot of people" have been displaced from their homes in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Pinellas County on Florida's west-central coast, according to county Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins, who spoke at a news briefing this morning.
Perkins did not clarify how many people have been displaced.
President Joe Biden activated an emergency declaration in 17 Florida counties, including Pinellas, where at least nine people have been killed as a result of the hurricane.
Around 84 structures have reportedly been destroyed and over 4,000 have sustained water damage, according to Florida Urban Search and Rescue. The agency is continuing to survey damage in the county, including in the barrier islands.
About 74,428 utility customers are still without power in the county, according to Duke Energy.
"For those of you who live on the mainland, our crews are working diligently today and we expect to have at least 95% of those customers on tonight, by midnight," Duke Energy spokesperson Jeff Baker said at the briefing. "For those who live on the barrier islands, you have to understand, as Director Perkins mentioned, there are areas that we have still not been able to even do damage assessment because the roads are just impassable."
Augusta National Golf Club assessing impact of 'catastrophic' Helene
In the wake of the “catastrophic and historic impact” from Helene, Augusta National Golf Club chairman Fred Ridley said the club has been assessing damage to the golf course.
“In the meantime, our focus and efforts are foremost with our staff, neighbors and business owners in Augusta,” he said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with them as well as everyone throughout Georgia and the Southeast who have been affected.”
Biden promises to ensure 'no resource is spared' to help communities devastated by Helene
President Joe Biden is in “constant contact” with local and state officials to provide resources to communities affected by Helene, the president shared in a statement.
“As we continue to support response and recovery efforts, we will make sure that no resource is spared to ensure communities can quickly begin their road to rebuilding,” Biden wrote on X, adding that he and Jill Biden are praying for those impacted.
73 people unaccounted for in Tennessee county
At least 73 people are unaccounted for in Unicoi County in east Tennessee in the aftermath of Helene, officials said in a news briefing Sunday morning.
The 73 people who are unaccounted for include missing people and ongoing welfare checks. No deaths have been reported at this time, and welfare checks are continuing in the county today, officials said.
Sen. Tim Kaine urges people to 'all do our part' to help those impacted by Helene
Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., this morning reshared a post from the American Red Cross informing social media users how to help those affected by Helene.
“The images we’re seeing in the wake of Hurricane Helene in Virginia and elsewhere are devastating. My heart breaks for those killed, injured, or missing,” Kaine wrote on X, urging people to “all do our part to help our neighbors in need.”
Helene has been downgraded to a post-tropical depression but is stalling over the Tennessee Valley and dumping excessive rain in an already waterlogged region.
Over 2.5 million customers still without power
Over 2.5 million utility customers’ homes and businesses stretching from Florida up to Virginia are still without power, according to PowerOutage.US.
South Carolina accounts for most utility customers without power, with more than 924,500 still in the dark. Georgia currently has over 685,000 customers without power — and North Carolina trails behind it with a little more than 554,600.
In Florida, more than 230,600 do not have power, while almost 138,000 don't have power in Virginia.
Biden approves major disaster declaration for Florida
President Joe Biden has approved a major disaster declaration for Florida to provide assistance to areas affected by Hurricane Helene, according to a news release from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Residents in 17 counties, including Pinellas, Hillsborough and Manatee, can now receive funding like grants for temporary housing or home repairs and loans for uninsured property, the agency said.
"Federal funding is also available to state, tribal and eligible local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis for emergency work" in all 17 counties, FEMA said.
Those hoping to receive financial assistance following the hurricane can apply online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov, call 1-800-621-3362 or use the FEMA app.
Hurricane Helene devastates Southeast, leaving at least 64 dead
The Southeast is dealing with the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene after the storm destroyed entire communities from Florida to North Carolina with flooding and mudslides that caused widespread damage.