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{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox weather event
| image = Helene 2024-09-
| caption = Helene at peak intensity just prior to landfall in the [[Big Bend (Florida)|Big Bend region]] of Florida on September 26
| formed = September 24, 2024
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}}{{Infobox weather event/Effects
| year = 2024
| fatalities =
| missing = 26
| damage =
| damage-prefix = >
| damage-suffix = (Unofficial estimates)
| areas = [[Yucatán Peninsula]], [[Honduras]], [[Cayman Islands]], [[Cuba]], Southeastern United States (especially Florida, [[the Carolinas]], and [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], but also including [[Alabama]], [[Tennessee]], [[Kentucky]], [[Virginia]], and [[West Virginia]]), [[Midwestern United States]] ([[Illinois]], [[Indiana]], [[Ohio]])
}}
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| related = {{Hurricane Helene related}}
}}
'''Hurricane Helene''' ({{IPAc-en|h|ɛ|ˈ|l|iː|n|audio=en-us-Helene.oga}} {{respell|heh|LEEN}})<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlantic Basin Storm Name Pronunciations |url=https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/pdf/aboutnames_pronounce_atlc.pdf |access-date=September 26, 2024 |website=National Hurricane Center}}</ref> was a devastating [[tropical cyclone]] that caused widespread
The eighth [[Tropical cyclone naming|named storm]], fifth [[Atlantic hurricane|hurricane]], and second [[Saffir–Simpson scale#Categories|major hurricane]] of the [[2024 Atlantic hurricane season]], Helene began forming on September 22 as a broad low
In advance of Helene's
==Meteorological history==
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|-
|[[North Carolina]]
|
|$53.6 billion
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodgin |first=Carrie |date=October 21, 2024 |title=Helene becomes deadliest tropical storm in North Carolina history |url=https://www.wxii12.com/article/helene-deadliest-tropical-storm-north-carolina-history/62670417 |access-date=October 21, 2024 |website=[[WXII-TV]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://ncnewsline.com/2024/10/23/helene-damages-in-north-carolina-total-53-billion-cooper-says-as-he-requests-new-state-relief/|title=Helene damages in North Carolina total $53 billion, Cooper says, as he requests new state relief|last=Bacharier|first=Galen|agency=[[NC Newsline]]|date=October 23, 2024|access-date=October 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Franklin III |first=JD |date=October 24, 2024 |title=Helene storm-related fatalities: County-by-county breakdown |url=https://www.wxii12.com/article/helene-fatalities-county-by-county-north-carolina/62706060 |access-date=October 24, 2024 |website=[[WXII-TV]] |language=en}}</ref>
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|[[Tennessee]]
|18
|$1.35 billion
|<ref name="Helene180" /><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Closson |first1=Troy |last2=Morales |first2=Christina |date=2024-10-05 |title=Missing People, Power Outages, Ruined Roads: Issues Across the Southeast After Helene |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/05/us/hurricane-helene-damage-deaths.html |access-date=October 5, 2024 |website=[[New York Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Barker |first1=Jessica |title=Tennessee's Hurricane Helene death toll rises as Hurricane Milton heads to Florida |url=https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/tennessees-hurricane-helene-death-toll-rises-as-hurricane-milton-strengthens/ |access-date=8 October 2024 |publisher=WKRN |date=8 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gibson |first=Robin |title=How many died in East Tennessee after Hurricane Helene? A county-by-county list |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/local/2024/10/09/how-many-died-in-east-tennessee-after-helene-a-county-by-county-list/75521004007/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Hurricane Helene took $1 billion-plus from Tennessee |url=https://www.farmprogress.com/crops/helene-took-a-billion-plus-from-tennessee-ag}}</ref>
|-
|[[Virginia]]
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|-
!Total
!≥234
(26)
!>$
!<ref>{{cite web |title=Death toll from Hurricane Helene rises to 227 as grim task of recovering bodies continues |url=https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-death-toll-asheville-north-carolina-34d1226bb31f79dfb2ff6827e40587fc |website=AP |date=October 5, 2024 |access-date=8 October 2024}}</ref>
|}
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==== Florida ====
{{
{{Most intense landfalling Florida hurricanes|align=right}}
[[File:Florida National Guard in Keaton Beach, Florida (Hurricane Helene).jpg|thumb|The [[Florida National Guard]] cleaning damage in [[Keaton Beach, Florida]], following Helene]]
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{{main|Effects of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina}}
[[File:2024-09-27-us-64-henderson-county.jpg|thumb|Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard ([[U.S. Route 64 in North Carolina|US-64]]) West in [[Henderson County, North Carolina]], on September 27]]
Areas in the [[Black Mountains (North Carolina)|Black Mountains region]] in the western part of the state were particularly devastated. Residents of [[Swannanoa, North Carolina|Swannanoa]] also reported that no search and rescue operations had reached their location as of September 29, leaving several residents who had not prepared for the degree of flooding without food or drinkable water.<ref>{{Cite web |last=King |first=Kimberly |date=September 29, 2024 |title=Swannanoa community devastated by flood damage after Hurricane Helene |url=https://www.wlos.com/news/local/swannanoa-community-devastated-flood-damage-after-hurricane-helene-search-and-rescue-highway-70-deputies-buncombe-county |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=WLOS |language=en |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930043900/https://www.wlos.com/news/local/swannanoa-community-devastated-flood-damage-after-hurricane-helene-search-and-rescue-highway-70-deputies-buncombe-county |url-status=live }}</ref> Data from the National Weather Service indicated that over {{convert|19|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain fell in areas upstream of [[Chimney Rock, North Carolina|Chimney Rock]], leading to devastating floodwaters that destroyed half of the village, including half of the businesses on the southern side of the village near the [[Broad River (Carolinas)|Broad River]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Jackson |first1=Drew |last2=Marusak |first2=Joe |last3=Quillin |first3=Martha |last4=Oehrli |first4=Ryan |date=September 28, 2024 |title=Devastating Helene: 400 roads closed in Western NC, 200 people rescued from floods |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article293178834.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930032743/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article293178834.html |work=[[The News & Observer]] |access-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref> The downtown of [[Elkin, North Carolina|Elkin]] was heavily damaged by floodwaters from the [[Yadkin River]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harrison |first=Kitsey Burns |date=September 27, 2024 |title=Downtown Elkin nearly under water near Yadkin River |url=https://www.elkintribune.com/townnews/meteorology/downtown-elkin-nearly-under-water-near-yadkin-river/article_cf83d80a-7cde-11ef-89dd-af0b1c1d1d5c.html |website=[[The Tribune (Elkin, North Carolina)|Elkin Tribune]]}}</ref> The [[Catawba River]] flooded [[Morganton, North Carolina|Morganton]] and left thousands of residents without power.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lunsford |first=Erica |date=September 29, 2024 |title=Morganton community sticking close after severe flooding from Helene |url=https://www.wbtv.com/2024/09/29/morganton-community-sticking-close-after-severe-flooding-helene/ |access-date=4 October 2024 |website=[[WBTV]]}}</ref> The Oxford Dam, at Lake Hickory on the Catawba River, spilled over.<ref>{{Cite news |title=A county by county look at Helene's devastation in western NC |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article293248659.html |url-status= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930235836/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article293248659.html?taid=66fb2673bd37650001ccb6b4&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |work=[[The News & Observer]]}}</ref> More than 400 roads were closed in the western part of the state, and over 200 people had to be rescued from floods.<ref name="cnn floods" />
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A curfew was issued for [[Asheville, North Carolina|Asheville]] due to the damage that occurred inside the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raby |first=John |date=September 27, 2024 |title=Curfew issued in western North Carolina community hit hard by Helene |url=https://apnews.com/live/hurricane-helene-tracker-maps-updates#00000192-3554-d0a0-a9d6-f77e37a90000 |access-date=September 27, 2024 |publisher=AP News |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926235639/https://apnews.com/live/hurricane-helene-tracker-maps-updates#00000192-3554-d0a0-a9d6-f77e37a90000 |url-status=live }}</ref> The city broke their record for two-day rainfall, recording {{convert|9.87|in|mm|abbr=on}} of rain.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://weather.com/safety/hurricane/news/2024-09-27-hurricane-helene-recap-surge-rainfall-flood-florida-southeast |title=Hurricane Helene Recap: Catastrophic Surge, Inland Flooding From Florida To The Appalachians |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240929121659/https://weather.com/safety/hurricane/news/2024-09-27-hurricane-helene-recap-surge-rainfall-flood-florida-southeast |archive-date=September 29, 2024 |work=The Weather Channel |date=September 27, 2024 }}</ref> The [[Asheville Police Department]] reported that they had made arrests due to looting.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/weather/severe-weather/hurricane-helene-buncombe-county-officials-give-updates-on-asheville-black-mountain/83-11e5ed34-a700-4fe9-9c9b-9f2c48f0f6bc|title=Helene aftermath: Buncombe officials give updates on Asheville, more|website=wfmynews2.com|first1=Jeremy |last1=Vernon |first2=Itinease |last2=McMiller |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930055917/https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/weather/severe-weather/hurricane-helene-buncombe-county-officials-give-updates-on-asheville-black-mountain/83-11e5ed34-a700-4fe9-9c9b-9f2c48f0f6bc |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |date=September 28, 2024|access-date=September 30, 2024|url-status=live }}</ref> The [[French Broad River]] crested at {{convert|24.67|ft|m|abbr=on}}, and the Swannanoa River reached {{convert|26.1|ft|m|abbr=on}}, both higher than the all-time records set by the [[Floods in the United States (1900–1999)#Southeast floods – July 1916|Flood of 1916]].<ref name=Oehrli>{{cite news|url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article293178834.html|title=At least 10 people dead in Western NC from Helene, 200 rescued from floods|last1=Jackson|first1=Drew|last2=Marusak|first2=Joe|last3=Quillin|first3=Martha|last4=Oehrli|first4=Ryan|work=[[News and Observer]]|date=September 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Asheville residents see cars, home floating|last=Hofmann|first=Will|work=[[Asheville Citizen-Times]]|date=October 1, 2024|page=A3}}</ref> Almost the entirety of [[Biltmore Village]] and the [[River Arts District]] were flooded, and the city was largely isolated due to loss of power and cell service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Asheville's historic Biltmore Village submerged in water after Hurricane Helene |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/video/asheville-s-historic-biltmore-village-submerged-in-water-after-hurricane-helene-220337221801 |access-date=September 28, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en |archive-date=September 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928005028/https://www.nbcnews.com/video/asheville-s-historic-biltmore-village-submerged-in-water-after-hurricane-helene-220337221801 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first1=Erik |last1=Verduzco |first2=Travis |last2=Loller |first3=George IV |last3=Walker |publisher=Associated Press |date=September 28, 2024 |title=Asheville has been isolated after Helene wrecked roads and knocked out power and cell service |url=https://www.local10.com/news/2024/09/28/asheville-has-been-largely-cut-off-after-helene-wrecked-roads-and-knocked-out-power-and-cell-service/ |access-date=September 28, 2024 |website=WPLG |language=en |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930035310/https://www.local10.com/news/2024/09/28/asheville-has-been-largely-cut-off-after-helene-wrecked-roads-and-knocked-out-power-and-cell-service/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Landslides around Asheville caused sections of [[Interstate 26 in North Carolina|I-26]] and [[Interstate 40 in North Carolina|I-40]] to collapse or wash away, forcing closures of affected routes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lyons |first=Pat |date=September 27, 2024 |title=Helene Live Updates: 20 Dead as Destruction Spreads Across Southeast |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/27/weather/hurricane-helene-florida |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=The New York Times |archive-date=September 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927100311/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/09/27/weather/hurricane-helene-florida |url-status=live }}</ref> Access to Asheville was cut off from September 27–28 via I-26 to South Carolina.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-asheville-flooding-north-carolina-tennessee-078a298cdcaaf46749f3f6683a4e1057 |title=Asheville has been isolated after Helene wrecked roads and knocked out power and cell service |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930035355/https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-asheville-flooding-north-carolina-tennessee-078a298cdcaaf46749f3f6683a4e1057 |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |work=[[Associated Press]] |url-status=live |date=28 September 2024 |access-date=4 October 2024 }}</ref> A curfew was also issued for [[Boone, North Carolina|Boone]] after high winds and torrential rain caused flooding, sink holes, and power outages throughout [[Watauga County, North Carolina|Watauga County]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Lee |first1=Hank |last2=DeVayne |first2=Richard |last3=Pierre |first3=Jesse |date=September 30, 2024 |title=Long, challenging recovery ahead for Boone after Helene's devastation |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/weather-impact/boone-helene-recovery-flooding-power-outages-downed-trees/275-a4030e8a-ce38-4b2d-9ae3-b9f00073ca29 |website=[[WCNC-TV]]}}</ref>
[[Appalachian State University|Appalachian State]]'s football game against [[Liberty University|Liberty]] was canceled due to flooding and was not rescheduled.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Backus |first=Will |date=September 27, 2024 |title=Appalachian State vs. Liberty canceled: Effects from Hurricane Helene nix nonconference clash in Week 5 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/appalachian-state-vs-liberty-canceled-effects-from-hurricane-helene-nix-nonconference-clash-in-week-5/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=CBS Sports |archive-date=September 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928014625/https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/appalachian-state-vs-liberty-canceled-effects-from-hurricane-helene-nix-nonconference-clash-in-week-5/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A mudslide and floodwaters from the [[Pigeon River (Tennessee–North Carolina)|Pigeon River]] washed out a section of [[I-40]] at the North Carolina–Tennessee border, forcing another closure.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raby |first=John |date=September 27, 2024 |title=A mudslide and floodwaters wash out interstate at the North Carolina-Tennessee state line |url=https://apnews.com/live/hurricane-helene-tracker-maps-updates#00000192-34ea-d436-a1d6-b5eee82e0000 |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=AP News |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240926235639/https://apnews.com/live/hurricane-helene-tracker-maps-updates#00000192-34ea-d436-a1d6-b5eee82e0000 |url-status=live }}</ref> The Pigeon River rose to more than {{convert|25|ft|m|abbr=off}} in [[Canton, North Carolina|Canton]],<ref name=Oehrli/> higher than during [[Hurricane Frances]] in 2004 and [[Tropical Storm Fred (2021)|Tropical Storm Fred]] in 2021.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.themountaineer.com/news/complete-devastation-canton-ravaged-by-the-worst-flood-yet/article_dd39cc2e-7d61-11ef-b837-7394b404bbd0.html|title='Complete devastation': Canton ravaged by the worst flood yet|last=Johnson|first=Becky|work=[[The Mountaineer]]|date=September 28, 2024|access-date=September 30, 2024|archive-date=September 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930051118/https://www.themountaineer.com/news/complete-devastation-canton-ravaged-by-the-worst-flood-yet/article_dd39cc2e-7d61-11ef-b837-7394b404bbd0.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In [[Busick, North Carolina|Busick]], rainfall totals reached {{convert|30.78|in|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web |author=National Weather Service Greenville - Spartanburg|date=September 28, 2024 |title=Here are the rainfall totals starting at 8 AM EDT Tuesday, September 24th through 8 AM Saturday, September 28th, following Hurricane Helene's departure. |url=https://x.com/NWSGSP/status/1840088090184167431 |website=[[X (Twitter)]] |access-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930044420/https://x.com/NWSGSP/status/1840088090184167431 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[University of North Carolina at Asheville]] canceled all classes through October 9
The [[North Carolina Department of Transportation]] (NCDOT) issued a statement on their website that all roads in western North Carolina should be considered closed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stradling |first=Richard |date=September 27, 2024 |title=NCDOT says all roads in Western NC should be considered closed, even the big ones |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/weather-news/article293153234.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240928070722/https://www.newsobserver.com/news/weather-news/article293153234.html |archive-date=September 28, 2024 |access-date=September 28, 2024 |website=The News and Observer}}</ref> [[Lees-McRae College]] in [[Banner Elk, North Carolina|Banner Elk]] evacuated their campus and as of September 29, all students were successfully evacuated with the assistance of the [[North Carolina National Guard]].<ref name= inside/>
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[[Clemson University]] faced major online backlash<ref>{{Cite web |last=cherrington@postandcourier.com |first=Caitlin Herrington |date=September 29, 2024 |title=Clemson blasted for holding football game in aftermath of Helene. University now cancels classes. |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/hurricanewire/clemson-stanford-helene-criticism-power-outages/article_b4d7d554-7e89-11ef-a276-f7f27bedfce5.html |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=Post and Courier |language=en}}</ref> after deciding to host its September 28 homecoming football game against [[Stanford University|Stanford]], bringing 80,295 fans to campus, most of whom were non-locals, at a time when the surrounding upstate, including the nearby city of [[Clemson, South Carolina|Clemson]] and town of [[Central, South Carolina|Central]], were facing widespread power outages and gas shortages.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Black |first1=Mitchell |last2=Mitchell |first2=Anna B. |last3=Boschult |first3=Christian |last4=White |first4=Abigail |last5=Simon |first5=Ben |date=September 28, 2024 |title=Gassing up after Helene: Upstate drivers wait up to an hour for a pump - if they could find one |url=https://www.postandcourier.com/hurricanewire/gas-fuel-shortage-helene-upstate-sc-long-lines/article_538e3422-7dc7-11ef-a941-73e1ef7efbe9.html |access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=[[The Post and Courier]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Marsharia |date=September 27, 2024 |title=South Carolina grapples with over a million power outages as Hurricane Helene hits |url=https://www.wach.com/news/local/south-carolina-grapples-with-over-a-million-power-outages-as-hurricane-helene-hits-dominion-duke-energy-outage-powerlines-blackout-source-lights |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=WACH |language=en}}</ref> Tailgaters put a heavy strain on already scarce supplies such as gas, hot food from the few local restaurants that remained open, and ice that residents needed to prevent their food from spoiling in the absence of power. Later, on September 28, Clemson University announced that it would be opening some of its powered facilities and offering free food, drinks, ice, charging stations, and showers to the community for members in need of respite following the storm. However, many criticized the university for not doing so sooner.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2024 |title=Clemson to open several facilities for the community on Sunday |url=https://news.clemson.edu/clemson-to-open-several-facilities-for-community-on-sunday/ |access-date=October 2, 2024 |website=Clemson News |language=en-US}}</ref> Criticism continued when Clemson University announced that classes would be canceled on Monday, September 30, seemingly contradicting the earlier assertion that the area was recovered well enough to host a game.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Riddle |first=Lyn |date=October 1, 2024 |title=Outrage after Clemson holds football game but cancels classes following Helene damage in SC |url=https://www.thestate.com/news/state/south-carolina/article293260659.html |work=The State}}</ref>
An electrical power outage led to one South Carolina factory farm losing 45,000 chickens. Millions more likely died due to Helene's effects across the Southeast, where almost half of the chicken farmed for meat in the United States is produced.<ref name="vox oct1" />
==== Tennessee ====
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Early on September 28, the [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] (TVA) utility company issued a Condition Red alert for the [[Nolichucky Dam]], saying that a failure of the dam was imminent, and local authorities issued an evacuation order.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Failure Of Nolichucky Dam Imminent, Could Cause Life-Threatening Flooding, TVA Says |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/failure-of-nolichucky-dam-imminent-could-cause-life-threatening-flooding-tva-says/ar-AA1rm7aQ |access-date=September 28, 2024 |website=www.msn.com |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930034206/https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/topstories/failure-of-nolichucky-dam-imminent-could-cause-life-threatening-flooding-tva-says/ar-AA1rm7aQ |url-status=live }}</ref> However, it was reported by late morning the same day that water levels along the [[Nolichucky River]] were lowering. The TVA was investigating the dam to figure out the next steps.<ref>{{Cite news |date=September 28, 2024 |title=Water Around Tennessee Dam Receding After Heavy Rain From Helene |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/weather/helene-tennessee-nolichucky-dam-evacuation.html |access-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930034207/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/28/weather/helene-tennessee-nolichucky-dam-evacuation.html |url-status=live }}</ref> {{Convert|12|mi|km|abbr=on}} northeast of the Nolichucky Dam, the Kinser Bridge, which is a part of [[Tennessee State Route 107|SR 107]], usually {{convert|60|ft|m|abbr=on}} above the Nolichucky River, collapsed after floodwaters overran the bridge.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 28, 2024 |title=Bridge collapses into river in Tennessee amid flooding from Helene |url=https://www.wcax.com/2024/09/28/bridge-collapses-into-river-tennessee-amid-flooding-helene/ |access-date=September 28, 2024 |website=WCAX |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930034208/https://www.wcax.com/2024/09/28/bridge-collapses-into-river-tennessee-amid-flooding-helene/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A total of five state-maintained bridges were destroyed.<ref>{{cite news |last=Torres |first=Madalyn |date=September 30, 2024 |title=TDOT: 14 Tennessee bridges closed, 5 destroyed from flooding |url=https://www.wbir.com/article/traffic/tdot-bridges-helene-flooding-closures/51-192edf45-4b80-4eb4-a5b0-92140304af01 |work=WBIR-TV |location=Knoxville |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240930220618/https://www.wbir.com/article/traffic/tdot-bridges-helene-flooding-closures/51-192edf45-4b80-4eb4-a5b0-92140304af01 |archivedate=September 30, 2024 |access-date=September 30, 2024}}</ref> A [[Police dog|K-9]] for the Erwin Police Department named Scotty was found dead on September 28 after going missing during flooding in the [[Bumpus Cove, Tennessee|Bumpus Cove]] community.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Little |first=Faith |date=September 29, 2024 |title=Erwin PD: K-9 Scotty found deceased following flood |url=https://www.wjhl.com/news/local/erwin-pd-k-9-scotty-found-deceased-following-flood/ |access-date=September 30, 2024 |work=[[WJHL-TV]]}}</ref> Six employees who were trapped by flood waters at the Impact Plastics plant in Erwin were among the missing and dead, with one worker who survived and family members of the deceased saying workers were not told that they could leave until after flood waters had covered the road to the plant and it lost power. Impact Plastics released a statement expressing sympathy for the workers' deaths and said that employees had not been threatened with termination for leaving the plant.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=11 workers at a Tennessee factory were swept away in Hurricane Helene flooding. Only 5 were rescued |url=https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-tennessee-f7c4a460de588df7a4d5bc9efa756ecb |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2024 |title=Helene floodwaters trapped Tennessee plastics plant employees, and some are among the missing and dead |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/hurricane-tennessee-deaths-plastic-factory-rcna173351 |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Levine |first=Sam |date=October 1, 2024 |title=Tennessee plastics factory staff killed in Hurricane Helene reportedly told not to evacuate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/01/tennessee-plastics-factory-hurricane |access-date=October 1, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> The incident is under investigation by the [[Tennessee Bureau of Investigation]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Morgan-Rumsey |first=Camruinn |date=October 2, 2024 |title=TBI investigating allegations against Impact Plastics, agency confirms|url=https://www.wvlt.tv/2024/10/02/tbi-investigating-allegations-against-impact-plastics-agency-confirms/|access-date=October 2, 2024 |work=WVLT 8}}</ref>
Following the storm, four state parks fully closed, with [[Panther Creek State Park]] experiencing trail closures and [[Seven Islands State Birding Park]] having both trail and boat ramp closures.<ref>{{cite news |title=Impact of Hurricane Helene on Tennessee State Parks |url=https://tnstateparks.com/blog/impact-of-hurricane-helene-on-tennessee-state-parks |access-date=October 4, 2024 |publisher=Tennessee State Parks |date=October 3, 2024}}</ref> Hurricane Helene caused a total agricultural and forestry loss of $1.351 billion.<ref name=":2" />
==== Virginia ====
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=== Relief efforts ===
{{Costliest U.S. Atlantic hurricanes|align=right}}
[[File:1988- US Gulf Coast hurricane diameters.svg|thumb |upright=1.35|Hurricane Helene was one of the largest-diameter US Gulf Coast hurricanes.<ref name=WashPost_20240926/> Although large size does not mean ''strength''—which is based on sustained wind measurements—it may mean that more people are exposed to a storm's hazards.<ref name=WashPost_20240926>{{cite news |last1=Dance |first1=Scott |last2=Ducroquet |first2=Simon |last3=Muyskens |first3=John |date=September 26, 2024 |title=See how Helene dwarfs other hurricanes that have hit the Gulf Coast |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/09/26/hurricane-helene-storm-size-miles/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240926211941/https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2024/09/26/hurricane-helene-storm-size-miles/ |archive-date=September 26, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>]]On September 28, 2024, the [[Omaha Public Power District]] sent Mutual Aid crews to [[West Virginia]] to help with power restoration after Helene, their third in a disaster in 2024.<ref name="OPPD" /> California sent 151 search and rescue members to affected areas.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ashcraft |first1=Anna |title=San Diego Fire-Rescue sends water rescue team to NC for Hurricane Helene |url=https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/san-diego-fire-rescue-sends-water-rescue-team-to-nc-for-hurricane-helene/ |access-date=October 1, 2024 |publisher=KUSI |date=September 27, 2024}}</ref> The [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] (FEMA) sent in search-and-rescue teams, bottled water, and [[Starlink]] terminals.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/29/fema-starlink-helene-victims-00181576|title=FEMA sending Starlink satellites, search-and-rescue teams to aid Helene's victims|author1=Greta Reich|work=Politico|date=September 29, 2024|access-date=September 30, 2024}}</ref> Additionally, an eastern Kentucky [[Storm chasing|storm chaser]] contributed 30 Starlink terminals to storm victims in western North Carolina.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Randle|first1=Kayleigh|url=https://www.lex18.com/news/covering-kentucky/kentucky-storm-chaser-provides-starlink-access-to-cities-across-western-nc|title=Kentucky Storm Chaser provides Starlink access to cities across western NC|work=WLEX-TV|date=October 1, 2024|access-date=October 4, 2024}}</ref> In total SpaceX stated that they had donated approximately 500 terminals through various channels.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-02 |title=Elon Musk's Starlink brings internet — and politics — to storm-ravaged areas |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/elon-musk-starlink-brings-internet-politics-hurricane-helene-recovery-rcna173463 |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> The [[American Red Cross]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=DeMentri |first=Nikki |date=September 30, 2024 |title=Philadelphia-area volunteers with American Red Cross assist in Hurricane Helene relief |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/philadelphia/news/hurricane-helene-american-red-cross-relief/ |access-date=September 30, 2024 |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref> and [[The Salvation Army]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knef |first1=Sam |title=Salvation Army deploying to help with Helene |url=https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2024/09/27/salvation-army-helping-with-helene |access-date=September 29, 2024 |agency=Spectrum News |date=September 28, 2024 |language=en |archive-date=September 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240930041838/https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2024/09/27/salvation-army-helping-with-helene |url-status=live }}</ref> among other [[nonprofit organization]]s, began deploying emergency disaster services teams in many affected areas. A unit from the 1st Battalion of the [[169th Aviation Regiment (United States)|169th Aviation Regiment]], part of the [[Connecticut Military Department|Connecticut Army National Guard]], was deployed to North Carolina to help assist disaster relief efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 27, 2024 |title=Connecticut National Guard unit to provide Helene disaster relief in North Carolina |url=https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/connecticut-national-guard-unit-to-provide-helene-disaster-relief-in-north-carolina/3396140/ |access-date=September 27, 2024 |website=NBC Connecticut |archive-date=September 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240927173206/https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/connecticut-national-guard-unit-to-provide-helene-disaster-relief-in-north-carolina/3396140/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Pack mules were utilized to access areas inaccessible by other means in North Carolina.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Habeshian |first=Sareen |date= |title=Mules deliver aid to N.C. as major roads remain impassable after Helene |url=https://www.axios.com/2024/10/01/hurricane-helene-north-carolina-mules-aid |access-date= |work=Axios}}</ref> Operation AirDrop and the Carolina Emergency Response Team helped deploy volunteer private helicopter pilots to assist in rescue efforts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2024 |title=Inside the grassroots efforts to fly supplies into NC's disaster zones and get people out |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/hurricane/helene/nc-disaster-zone-supply-delivery-efforts/275-5b8ca38c-cb16-4295-b152-e8e738f3e854 |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=wcnc.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2024 |title=Volunteers in Hickory use their helicopters to fly supplies to Helene victims |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/volunteers-hickory-helicopters-fly-supplies-162041189.html |access-date=October 1, 2024 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}</ref>
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On October 3, Trump falsely accused the Biden administration of spending FEMA funds meant for disaster relief "on illegal migrants", and thus having "stole the FEMA money just like they stole it from a bank"; he repeated the accusations the next day, which the Biden administration claimed was "poison".<ref name=Trumpdid>{{cite news |last1=Kessler |first1=Glenn |title=No, Biden didn't take FEMA relief money to use on migrants — but Trump did |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/04/no-biden-didnt-take-fema-relief-money-use-migrants-trump-did/ |access-date=October 5, 2024 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=October 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241004215112/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/04/no-biden-didnt-take-fema-relief-money-use-migrants-trump-did/ |archive-date=October 4, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Rodriguez and Justine McDaniel |first1=Sabrina |last2=McDaniel |first2=Justine |title=As Trump makes false claims about hurricane relief, White House calls it 'poison' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/04/trump-hurricane-helene-fema-money-misinformation/ |access-date=October 5, 2024 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=October 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241005001528/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/04/trump-hurricane-helene-fema-money-misinformation/ |archive-date=October 5, 2024}}</ref> FEMA stated they have separate Congress-approved funds for disaster relief and for migrants (the Shelter and Service Program).<ref name="Trumpdid" />
== See also ==
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