Impact and Response
, striking as a Category 4 hurricane, devastated the , leaving at least 64 dead, millions without power, and widespread destruction from to the and .
Rescue operations were extensive, with hundreds of water rescues reported. Notable rescues included the extraction of patients and staff from a rooftop in and ongoing efforts in Asheville, .
Community and Government Reaction
Communities rallied in the face of disaster, with locals in Florida turning commercial spaces into donation sites, and residents in and other areas conducting house-to-house checks despite the destruction and communication barriers.
promised federal assistance, and a disaster declaration for North Carolina was approved. The economic impact is estimated between $95 billion and $110 billion, with property damage alone expected to reach up to $26 billion.