Search-and-rescue teams who have already saved hundreds of people scoured the mountains of western North Carolina for more survivors on Tuesday (October 1), working amid washed-out roads, smashed bridges and felled power lines following Hurricane Helene.

The storm killed at least 140 people in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia, CNN reported, citing state and local officials, and the death toll is expected to rise once rescue teams reach isolated towns and telecommunications are restored.

In North Carolina's mountainous Buncombe County, which includes the tourist destination of Asheville, 40 people have died, county officials said.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer described the impact of the hurricane as "unbelievable".

"You can't adequately describe it in words. We've never seen anything like this here in Asheville", Manheimer told Reuters during an interview on Tuesday.

The mayor said she appreciated the help by locals, volunteers and organizations which streamed to Asheville to provide help to families and elderly.

The North Carolina National Guard has rescued over 500 people, deploying helicopters to ferry in supplies and rescue workers, rescuing survivors and pets along the way, Major General Todd Hunt told a separate press briefing.

Helene was a powerful Category 4 hurricane when it slammed into the Florida Gulf coast on Thursday, tearing a destructive path through southeastern states for several days.

(Production: Eva Weininger)

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