GA Mom, Newborn Twins Among Helene's Dead; Damage Could Top $95 Billion

Updated at 11:08 p.m. ET

GEORGIA — A young Georgia mother and her 1-month-old twin boys were among 64 people killed by Hurricane Helene, which experts predict could be one of the costliest storms in U.S. history due to its devastating storm surge, damaging winds, and flooding.

A preliminary assessment released by Accuweather on Saturday estimates the total damage and economic loss from Helene will be between $95 billion and $110 billion.

The estimate includes damage to homes, businesses, roads, vehicles and the effects of power outages, as well as lost wages, flight delays, damage to the supply chain and more, AccuWeather said in a release.

Other catastrophic storms include Hurricane Ian in 2022, which caused about $180 to $210 billion in damage; Hurricanes Harvey and Irma with a combined total of about $270 billion; Hurricane Sandy in 2012 with $210 billion; and Hurricane Katrina in 2005 with damages of about $320 billion.

At least 64 people are dead after Helene came ashore in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday, packing winds of 140 mph before quickly moving through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee. The storm uprooted trees, splintered homes, sent creeks and rivers over their banks, and strained dams.

According to an Associated Press tally, the deaths occurred in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

A 27-year-old mother and her 1-month-old twins died when a tree crashed through their mobile home near Thomson, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution report citing McDuffie County Coroner Paul Johnson. All three were in bed together when they were killed, Johnson said.

Vernon "Leon" Davis, a Pierce County firefighter, was killed when a tree fell on his car Friday in Blackshear, 11Alive reported. Additionally, a 7-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl died in Washington County after a tree fell on their home and trapped them inside the burning house, Augusta television station WRDW reported.

The victims were among at least 17 deaths in Georgia attributed to the storm, Gov. Brian Kemp said on Saturday.

"As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant and pray for all those affected," Kemp tweeted.

Recovery Efforts Beginning

The storm, now a post-tropical cyclone, was expected to hover over the Tennessee Valley on Saturday and Sunday, the National Hurricane Center said. Several flood and flash flood warnings remained in effect in parts of the southern and central Appalachians, while high wind warnings also covered parts of Tennessee and Ohio.

The recovery process in Georgia began Friday after Helene battered the Peach State overnight, leaving destruction in its wake. One of the hardest hit areas was Valdosta.

Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp spent Saturday morning touring the damage in Valdosta. The governor said that it “looks like a bomb went off” after viewing splintered homes and debris-covered highways from the air.

"We’re deploying every available resource to affected areas across this state, and we thank you for your patience as we work to recover," he said.

Police and government agencies across Georgia reported downed trees, fallen street signs and power lines and flooded streets.

Helene battered South Georgia with 90 mph winds Friday morning, while winds of 100 mph were recorded in Bacon County. The storm also prompted the National Hurricane Center to issue a flash flood emergency for metro Atlanta, where several roads were shut down due to roadway debris or floods.

Atlanta recorded 11.2 inches of rain in 48 hours, beating out a 9.59-inch record that had stood since 1886.

While metro Atlanta avoided the worst of the storm, northern neighborhoods, such as Buckhead, suffered the worst of the flooding, according to an AJC report citing Mayor Andre Dickens. Some neighborhoods were so badly flooded that only car roofs could be seen poking above the water.

Dickens said Atlanta fire crews have performed at least 20 boat rescues, saving pets and families from homes and cars. People who are considered homeless in Atlanta were also relocated to shelters and recreational facilities, Dickens said.

No injuries or deaths have been reported in Atlanta.

Georgia was among 10 states still dealing with power outages Saturday in the wake of Helene. As of 2:30 p.m. Saturday, 737,727 homes and businesses were still without power, according to poweroutage.us.

Georgia EMC, which represents 41 Georgia cooperatives that supply power to much of the state's rural areas, warned of “catastrophic” damage to utility infrastructure. The company said more than 100 high-voltage transmission lines had been damaged in the storm.

"The damage to the supply side of the electrical grid from Helene is extensive, surpassing that of 2018’s Hurricane Michael in many areas, and will take longer to assess and repair," Georgia EMC said in a news release. "The damaged transmission lines and substations must be repaired before electricity will be available to run through residential lines."

In anticipation of Helene, Kemp ordered a state of emergency in all 159 counties. The order will expire at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday.

On Friday, the governor issued an order to allow the Georgia Department of Defense to deploy an additional 1,000 Georgia National Guard troops for storm response. Search and rescue teams from Maryland were also in the state to assist with recovery efforts, Kemp said.

Kemp asked drivers to stay off of roads so first responders can get to people. He said work is also being done to save people who are trapped inside of structures.

"We'll have to literally cut our way into situations like this," Kemp said.

President Joe Biden said he was praying for survivors, and the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency headed to the area. The agency deployed more than 1,500 workers, and they helped with 400 rescues by late Friday morning.

Officials urged people who were trapped to call for rescuers and not tread floodwaters, warning they can be dangerous due to live wires, sewage, sharp objects and other debris.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.