Hundreds of kilometers from landfall, the “apocalyptic” devastation of Hurricane Helene is unfolding

The death toll from Hurricane Helene is still rising as Americans across the Southeast count the cost of last week’s massive storm.

At least 91 people were killed as Helene traveled north from the Gulf Coast, the Associated Press reported Monday. The storm made landfall Thursday evening as a Category 4 hurricane in Florida’s Big Bend region with sustained winds of 140 miles per hour.

Helene intensified as it approached the U.S. coast, bringing devastating winds, massive flooding and enormous storm surges.

In North Carolina, extreme flooding has washed away homes and bridges. At one point, authorities closed 400 streets because they deemed them unsafe for traffic. At least 30 people died and dozens are missing, state authorities said.

“This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said.

National Guard members and relief teams from 19 states participated in search and rescue missions in the state.

William Ray, director of the North Carolina Department for Public Safety Emergency Management, said response teams “worked around the clock to conduct rescue operations and gain access to neighborhoods.”

There has been no cell service or water service in Asheville for several days. Zeb Smathers – the mayor of Canton, west of Asheville – told “Good Morning America” ​​that the situation was “apocalyptic, not just for Canton, but for the entire region.”

The area is suffering from a total cell phone “blackout,” Smathers said, meaning residents are unable to check on their loved ones or ask those at risk of further flooding to evacuate.

Parts of North Carolina were inundated with up to 30 inches of rain, triggering deadly flash floods and landslides.

In Lake Lure in the western part of the state, resident George Carter told “Good Morning America”: “When you turn the corner and see your community full of buildings and trash and floating boathouses and floating houses, it just takes you breathless.” “

“It was scary,” he added.

Adam Jackon of Tyron, North Carolina, said neighbors were trapped by falling trees.

There were “probably 50 trees blocking my neighbors from coming out,” he said. “I started helping them yesterday, the neighbors across the street. We got ourselves out, but the other neighbors are trapped.”

Meanwhile, the Painter family of Asheville returned home to find 35,000 gallons of water in their basement. “It’s scary,” Jacob Painter said. “I had a pit in my abdomen the whole time.”

“You’re stepping on mud and trying not to fall because it’s so thick and slippery,” Ciara Lantz-Painter said.

Randall Houghton spoke to “Good Morning America” ​​near a destroyed RV park. His mobile home was washed away by the floodwaters, he said, forcing him to spend the night on the side of the road.

“It’s crazy,” Houghton said. “I expected something bad when she said the water would spill over the park tables.”

At least two people were killed in Tennessee, but that number could rise as search and rescue efforts continue. More than 70 people are still missing, state officials said.

Among them is Steve Cloyd, whose Jeep was found after the storm, according to his family.

His family’s hope, wife Keli told “Good Morning America,” was that Steve was able to escape the vehicle. “I need the big thing so I can breathe again, so my children can breathe again,” she said.

“His Minnesota Vikings won today. That’s why I want to sit here and watch these highlights with him.”

ABC New’s Joel Lyons, Dom Proto, Octavio Cadenas, Alex Colletta and Kimberly Randolph contributed to this report.