At least 45 people have died in five states as a result of Hurricane Helene's passage over southeastern USA, CNN reports.
In South Carolina, 19 deaths are linked to the storm, including two firefighters, according to local authorities. In Georgia, 15 deaths are reported, in Florida eight, and in North Carolina two. Also, in Virginia, one person died when a tree fell on a building.
Hurricane Helene reached Florida's coast late on Thursday, local time, with winds of over 60 meters per second. It was quickly downgraded from a five to a two, but still caused significant damage.