42 dead in the US as Hurricane Helen wreaks havoc

The death toll from Hurricane Helen has risen to 42 across four states in the United States, with several others still missing.

According to NBC News, the hurricane has caused heavy rainfall and flooding in the affected states, leading to the cancellation of over a thousand flights.

More than 4 million residents in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina remain without power in the wake of the storm’s destruction.

The US National Weather Service has reported that the hurricane has now weakened into a tropical storm and is moving towards Tennessee and Kentucky.

After causing widespread damage in Florida, Hurricane Helen has downgraded to a Category 1 storm. However, its impact has resulted in heavy rainfall and flooding in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Residents in the affected states have been caught off guard by the flash floods, and the number of casualties continues to rise. Many people are still missing.

North Carolina has been hit the hardest, with landslides rendering major roads impassable. Rescue operations have begun after the storm subsided, with authorities working to pull people from the wreckage of collapsed buildings. Millions remain without electricity following Hurricane Helen's rampage.

Due to the continuous heavy rainfall caused by the storm, over a thousand flights have been cancelled. All schools and universities have been closed, though some educational institutions may reopen on Saturday if the situation improves.

Earlier, on Thursday night, Hurricane Helen struck Florida with winds of up to 140 km/h, making it one of the most powerful hurricanes in the state's history.

The US National Weather Service has stated that the storm is now heading towards Tennessee and Kentucky, having weakened into a tropical storm.