Watch: Hurricane Helene - Mules carry supplies, thousands without water as second-deadliest storm kills 162
Hurricane Helene aftermath, and mules carrying supplies to affected areas. Photos: Reuters and Mountain Mule Packer Ranch/Facebook Photograph:( Others )
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Hurricane Helene aftermath: Hurricane Helene is officially the second-deadliest storm to hit the US after Katrina, with the death toll crossing 160. In southern states like North Carolina, mules were used to deliver supplies as essentials like drinking water became scarce. The waters have been contaminated by the storm, with advisories issued to boil water before consumption to prevent diseases. Several states are still recovering from flooding in the wake of Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene aftermath: Hurricane Helene is officially the second-deadliest storm to hit the US after Katrina, with the death toll crossing 160. In southern states like North Carolina, mules were used to deliver supplies as essentials like drinking water became scarce. The waters have been contaminated by the storm, with advisories issued to boil water before consumption to prevent diseases. Several states are still recovering from flooding in the wake of Hurricane Helene
Hurricane Helene is now officially the second-deadliest storm in the US with over 160 fatalities, and even mules are being used to bring supplies to affected populations in cut-off areas in southern states.
As the storm, which made landfall on September 26, damaged roads, mules from the voluntary group Mountain Mules Packers were seen taking supplies to communities in western parts of North Carolina, one of the hardest-hit states. In these mountainous parts, all roads are closed to non-urgent travel.
The animals carried water, food, medicine and health supplies like insulin to Black Mountain and Swannanoa in North Karolina where roads and homes were destroyed.
Volunteers on mules were seen delivering insulin and medical supplies to a Hurricane Helene victim in North Carolina in this footage captured by Cajun Navy 2016. pic.twitter.com/xkxnTelVHk
— USA TODAY Video (@usatodayvideo) October 3, 2024
Several southeastern states are still inundated. Damage to water systems meant that there was no drinking water, with officials issuing advisories to boil the available water before consumption to prevent infections from microbes.
Also read: Strange blue blob appears in the centre of Hurricane Helene, leaves netizens baffled
More than one million people still lack electricity in the affected areas.
President Joe Biden has ordered the deployment of Army units to help in rescue and rehabilitation efforts, even as helicopters and water response vehicles were pressed into service.
Watch: Hurricane Helene Sparks Widespread Humanitarian Crisis Across US States
Deaths were mainly reported in the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee and Virginia after heavy flooding and torrential rains in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Hundreds are still missing, with the toll expected to go up.
Also read: Trump blasts Harris for posting 'fake and staged' photo of Hurricane Helene briefing
Dire water scarcity in wake of Hurricane Helene
Pictures shared on social media showed people carrying drinking water in transparent plastic bags, an indication of the dire situation.
Officials in Asheville, North Carolina, said nearly 100,000 people will not have access to water for weeks, The Guardian said in a report.
More than 160 boil water advisories were issued in North Carolina as of Tuesday.
“Extensive repairs are required to treatment facilities, underground and aboveground water pipes, and to roads that have washed away which are preventing water personnel from accessing parts of the system,” said a release from the city.
A report in the Washington Post said some people were taking baths in creeks and using water from streams to flush toilets.
(With inputs from agencies)
