Death Toll from Hurricane Helene in US Rises to 69

Death toll from Hurricane Helene which hit southeast of the United States has surged to 69, with officials fear still more bodies would be discovered. Authorities in the southeastern US states started a massive cleanup and recovery effort on Sunday after winds, rain and storm surges from Hurricane Helene knocked out power for millions, destroyed roads and bridges, and caused catastrophic flooding from Florida to Virginia. South Carolina recorded the highest death toll, reporting 25 fatalities, with falling trees contributing to many of them. In North Carolina, the death toll rose to 11, Governor Roy Cooper said. All roads in the western end of the state should be considered closed and will take months to repair, he said. The storm has damaged water systems, communications and critical transportation routes across the region, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Damage estimates ranged from $15 billion to more than $100 billion, insurers and forecasters said. Property damage and lost econ omic output will become clearer as officials assess the destruction. Source: Qatar News Agency