Hurricane Helene updates: Death toll surpasses 230 as rescue efforts continue

Helene unleashed devastation across the Southeast.

ByEmily Shapiro, David Brennan, Leah Sarnoff, Julia Reinstein, Meredith Deliso, and Ivan Pereira
Video byLilia Geho
Last Updated: October 7, 2024, 7:41 AM EDT

More than 230 people have been killed from Hurricane Helene, which unleashed devastation across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee.

Helene, which made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region as a massive Category 4 hurricane, has become the deadliest mainland hurricane since Katrina in 2005.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 26, 2024, 3:23 PM EDT

All of Georgia will be impacted, governor warns

All counties in Georgia are under a state of emergency as Hurricane Helene nears.

"This is a big storm -- it’s going to affect the entire state," Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said.

"This storm is one of the biggest we’ve ever seen in the Atlantic in terms of size, covering nearly 500 miles," he said.

Kemp cautioned about the potential for flash flooding and tornadoes, particularly in areas on the "dirty side" of the storm

"This storm will bring strong winds and a lot of rain. Flooding and even landslides in mountainous areas are a real possibility," he said.

-ABC News’ Jason Volack

Sep 26, 2024, 2:35 PM EDT

Helene strengthens to major Category 3 hurricane

Helene strengthened to a major Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds on Thursday afternoon.

Helene could strengthen even more before it makes landfall Thursday night.

Sep 26, 2024, 1:44 PM EDT

'Take the storm seriously,' FEMA administrator warns

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is warning everyone in the path of Hurricane Helene to "take the storm seriously."

A local resident fills bags with sand as the town prepares for Hurricane Helene in Fort White, Fla., Sept. 26, 2024.
Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

"Listen to your local officials. If they tell you to evacuate, please do so. And if they tell you to shelter in place, then that's what you should do," she said at a news conference. "They're going to give you the best information that you can do, for your specific situation. Those decisions can save lives."

Over 1,100 personnel from the federal government are supporting storm efforts, Criswell said.

Chris Hoy, left, and Jennifer Williams place hurricane shutters on his sister's business before the arrival of Hurricane Helene, Sept. 25, 2024, in Port Richey, Fla.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

"We also have an additional 700 personnel from FEMA that are already in these states, supporting other disasters, that we can quickly pivot to support any of the response needs as needed," Criswell said. "Some of the resources that we have already deployed include eight search and rescue teams across Florida and Georgia, as well as resources from the Coast Guard, the Department of Defense to immediately support any lifesaving operations as needed."

-ABC News’ Justin Ryan Gomez

Sep 26, 2024, 11:57 AM EDT

North Carolina flooding could be catastrophic, governor warns

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper described Helene as an unusually dangerous storm that threatens to bring heavy rain and potentially catastrophic flooding to central and western North Carolina on Thursday night and Friday.

Helene is forecast to drop more than 1 foot of rain to parts of western North Carolina, and even cities like Charlotte could see flash flooding despite not being in the storm's direct path, officials said.

President Joe Biden has approved emergency declarations for states in Helene's path, including North Carolina.

-ABC News’ Alex Faul

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