Hurricane Helene Death Toll Revised Downward in North Carolina

Hurricane Helene, which devastated western North Carolina in late September, has seen a revision in its death toll. Initially, the local authorities in Buncombe County reported 72 deaths, but this number has been corrected to 42, according to the state’s Department of Health and Human Services.

The revised death toll for the entire state now stands at 96, although this figure could still change as ongoing death investigations continue. The correction in Buncombe County’s death count reduces the overall number of fatalities attributed to the storm.

The storm’s impact was severe, with historic levels of rain and flooding, resulting in 1,400 landslides, damage to over 160 water and sewer systems, and destruction of more than 1,000 bridges and culverts. An estimated 126,000 homes were damaged, and approximately 220,000 households are expected to apply for federal assistance.

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has requested $3.9 billion from the General Assembly to aid in the recovery and revitalization efforts, highlighting the storm’s unprecedented damage and the need for significant funding to support the affected areas).