Flooded Farms, Fouled Rivers, Dozens Dead: Helene's Rising Toll.

Hurricane Helene has caused widespread devastation in the US Southeast, resulting in a humanitarian, economic, and ecological crisis. The storm has destroyed cotton crops, caused sewage and industrial chemicals to contaminate rivers, and damaged key parts of the power grid. The death toll continues to rise, with at least 166 confirmed dead and many others displaced. President Joe Biden has announced the deployment of 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist with recovery efforts. The storm's impact on agriculture alone could lead to $7 billion in insurance payouts. Climate change is believed to be a contributing factor to the intensity of hurricanes like Helene. The region is still struggling to restore power and reopen roads, and the environmental damage caused by the storm is significant, with sewage and chemicals tainting rivers. [Extracted from the article]