‘Bodies in the trees’: Survivors share grim stories of aftermath as Hurricane Helene death toll rises

Shocking new photos have emerged showing the devastation left by Hurricane Helene as survivors share grim details. Joe Biden, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris also weigh in. See the video.

Survivors of Hurricane Helene are revealing the true extent of the devastation after the wild storm decimated parts of the southeastern United States.

“There were bodies in trees. They were finding bodies under rubble,” said Alyssa Hudson, whose town of Black Mountain in North Carolina was all but destroyed.

Ms Hudson and her partner managed to escape in time, but she told the New York Post she saw videos on social media of her home submerged to the roof as well as later clips posted by neighbours showing the walls gone, floors caved in and shed washed 3km away.

Her colleague, Corbin Weeks, told the newspaper he helped pull one family from a motorhome moments before it disappeared under a river of brown sludge.

“It’s like a f**king living hell that we just can’t wake up from,” Mr Weeks said.

A resident walks down the street in Old Fort, North Carolina, as residents begin sharing stories of the horrors they’ve witnessed in the aftermath. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

A storm-damaged U-Haul truck and trailer are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina, as the death toll rises. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Vehicles damaged from flooding and debris are seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in Old Fort, North Carolina, as the clean up gets underway. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

At least 128 people have now died across six states the search for survivors continues after the wild weather system made landfall in Florida on Thursday local time.

Catastrophic flooding in the Asheville area of North Carolina means the local death toll more than tripled over the weekend, with 40 victims now confirmed deceased.

Whole communities were washed away by floodwaters and landslides, cutting victims off from rescue crews as roads were buried or completely washed away.

North Carolina governor Roy Cooper said many communities were “wiped off the map”.

“This is an unprecedented storm,” he told reporters.

“The emotional and physical toll here is indescribable.”

A man views the removal of debris n Old Fort, North Carolina, after Hurricane Helene wiped whole communities off the map. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Heavy rains are hampering search and rescue efforts, with an estimated 600 people still missing after the furious storm unleashed. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

A woman called Mary Grace and her dog, Marley, walk around the Biltmore Village in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

The sheriff’s office in Pinellas County, Florida, published a grim litany of the nine lives lost there so far, almost all of whose bodies were found drowned in their homes.

Some were found still lying in water, while others were buried under debris.

Meanwhile, in Georgia, residents faced power cuts, supply shortages, blocked roads and broken communication lines in often mountainous terrain, with Governor Brian Kemp describing the storm as a “250-mile wide tornado”.

An estimated 600 people are still missing and torrential rain is hampering rescue efforts as search and rescue efforts continue and the massive clean-up gets underway.

Close to 2 million households and businesses are still without power and damaged roads are making it impossible for rescue crews to access some areas. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Scientists say climate change played a role in the rapid intensification of hurricanes, because there is more energy in warmer oceans for them to feed on. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Helene was likened to a “250-mile wide tornado” in Georgia. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Close to 2 million households and businesses are still without power, and as crews work to restore utilities and residents begin to recover what they can, the aftermath is getting political.

Former US President and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump visited Georgia, the epicentre of the destruction - which is a key swing state - on Tuesday.

US President Joe Biden is set to travel to storm-ravaged North Carolina on Wednesday to monitor rescue efforts, refuting suggestions his administration has been too slow to respond.

Mr Trump vowed to bring in “lots of relief material” and accused Mr Biden of “sleeping”.

He also accused Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris of “looking for money” on the campaign trail instead of helping with the response.

US President Joe Biden comments on his administration’s response to Hurricane Helene at the White House in Washington, DC, on September 30, 2024. Picture: Mandel NGAN / AFP

US Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks alongside emergency management experts in Washington on September 30. Picture: AFP

Former US President and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said the government was too slow to respond while visiting Georgia. Picture: Getty Images via AFP

Mr Biden angrily refuted the claims and accused Mr Trump of spreading untruths.

“He’s lying,” Biden told reporters in the Oval Office, adding that he had spoken to North Carolina governor Ray Cooper “and he told him he’s lying... it’s irresponsible.”

Ms Harris - who cancelled scheduled campaign events and flew to Washington on Monday local time for a briefing on the federal response - also hit back.

“Over the past few days, our nation has endured some of the worst destruction and devastation that we have seen in quite some time,” she said.

“And we have responded with our best, with the best folks who are on the ground and here doing the kind of work that is about rising to a moment of crisis.”

Originally published as ‘Bodies in the trees’: Survivors share grim stories of aftermath as Hurricane Helene death toll rises