Hurricane Helene leaves 61 dead, millions without power in Southeast

"It looks like a tornado hit, like a bomb went off," recounted Georgia Governor Brian Kemp after the catastrophe. American media emphasize that "Helene spared no one."

The number of fatalities caused by the hurricane in the southeastern regions of the USA has exceeded 60. Hundreds of roads remain closed, and authorities warn of the risk of landslides.

In five states, over 2.5 million customers are without power. Authorities warn that the full restoration of power may take several days.

Category 4 Hurricane Helene struck on the night of Thursday to Friday in the American states of Florida and Georgia. It was accompanied by winds blowing at speeds of up to 140 mph and intense rainfall, causing significant damage and floods. Rescue services are gradually reaching residents trapped in flooded homes.

The hurricane, which was one of the most powerful to ever hit the United States, weakened slightly on Friday. However, in several states, it continued to cause heavy rains and floods, threatening to break dams and flood entire towns.

In Pinellas County, Florida, Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said he had never seen destruction like that caused by Hurricane Helene.

The scale of the destruction can be seen in many photos and videos posted online.

The disaster caused trees to fall on buildings. A church in Perry, Florida, lost its roof, which had recently been repaired after a hurricane last year.

More than 50 people were rescued from the roof of a hospital in Unicoi County, Tennessee. The evacuation of patients and staff was hindered by the swollen Nolichucky River, rescue services reported.

The mayor of Cocke County, Tennessee, ordered the evacuation of the central part of the city of Newport due to the threat of a nearby dam breaking.

In Buncombe County, North Carolina, landslides forced authorities to close Interstates 40 and 26.