The death toll from Hurricane Helene has risen to more than 40 in the U.S

Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of up to 140 mph (225 kph), has left at least 40 dead in its wake across Florida and the southeastern United States.

The phenomenon unleashed heavy rains and winds that destroyed homes and uprooted trees, forcing rescue teams to undertake desperate missions to save those trapped in the floods.

Georgia's governor, Brian Kemp, reported that there are still dozens of people trapped in damaged buildings.

The storm struck a sparsely populated area of Big Bend, Florida, known for its fishing villages and vacation spots.

However, the damage extended hundreds of miles north, reaching as far as northeast Tennessee, where 54 people were evacuated to the roof of the Unicoi County Hospital due to rapid floods that threatened to inundate the building, according to Ballad Health.

In North Carolina, a lake used in the movie "Dirty Dancing" has overflowed its dam, leading to evacuations in nearby areas.

Additionally, multiple hospitals in South Georgia were left without power, making access to emergency services difficult.

The Pinellas County Sheriff, Bob Gualtieri, stated that all the victims in his county were in neighborhoods that had been evacuated. Many chose not to leave their homes, facing critical situations as they were forced to take refuge in their attics to escape the rising waters, he explained.

Presidents and local authorities have expressed their support for the survivors.

President Joe Biden offered his prayers as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed more than 1,500 workers to assist in rescue efforts, which had already exceeded 400 interventions by early morning.

With nearly 4 million homes and businesses without electricity in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, conditions remain dangerous, and authorities are warning about the possibility of electric wires in the water and other hazards.

There are fears that the number of fatalities will continue to rise as rescue teams assess the flooded areas.