The death toll from Hurricane Helene rises to over 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 path through Florida and the southeastern United States (U.S.).

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

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp reported that there are still dozens of people trapped in damaged buildings.

The storm hit a sparsely populated region of the Big Bend of Florida, known for its fishing towns and vacation areas.

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

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

Similarly, multiple hospitals in South Georgia were left without power, hindering access to emergency services.

The sheriff of Pinellas County, Bob Gualtieri, indicated 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 sent his prayers as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) deployed more than 1,500 workers to assist in rescue operations, which had already surpassed 400 interventions by early morning.

With nearly 4 million homes and businesses without electricity in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, conditions continue to be dangerous, and authorities warn about the possibility of electrical wires in the water and other hazards.

It is feared that the number of fatalities will continue to rise as rescue teams assess the flooded areas.