Storm Helene leaves more than 60 dead across five US states

Huge power outages, flooding in unusually wet September linked to global warming

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Rescuers struggled on Sept 28 with washed-out bridges and debris-strewn roads in the search for survivors of devastating storm Helene, which killed at least 63 people across five states and caused massive power outages.

Helene slammed into Florida late on Sept 26 as a Category 4 hurricane and surged north, gradually weakening but leaving in its wake toppled trees, downed power lines and mudslide-wrecked homes.

Federal emergencies were declared in six states Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee with more than 800 personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (Fema) deployed to assist local officials.

Now classified as a "post-tropical cyclone", the remnants of the storm are expected to continue inundating the Ohio Valley and central Appalachians on Sept 29, according to the National Hurricane Centre (NHC).

In affected communities across the eastern coast and Midwest, storm victims and volunteers toting rubbish bags, mops and hammers tried to repair what they could and clean up the rest.

"There are only a couple of businesses open. They have limited supplies. So, I am just worried about families that have kids... getting somewhere to stay and have something to eat," said Mr Steven Mauro, a resident of Valdosta, Georgia.