The death toll in Georgia following Hurricane Helene has risen to 25, Governor Brian Kemp announced on today during a briefing in Augusta, one of the hardest-hit regions. The hurricane, which swept through Georgia after making landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast, caused extensive damage, particularly east of Interstate 75.

The storm, which struck early Friday morning, left about 1.3 million Georgians without power at its peak, with nearly 500,000 residents still in the dark as of today. Governor Kemp acknowledged frustrations over the slow pace of recovery but assured residents that efforts to restore power and services were progressing. “Things are getting done,” he said, though he cautioned that it would take time to fully recover from the storm’s impact.

In addition to the widespread power outages, 573 traffic signals remain out of service across the state. Governor Kemp urged drivers to approach intersections with malfunctioning lights as four-way stops to ensure safety on the roads.

The Georgia National Guard has deployed 1,500 members to assist in the aftermath, according to Maj. Gen. Richard Wilson. The Guard has been transporting essential supplies such as food, water, and generators to areas in need. Wilson noted that the unique path of Hurricane Helene has made recovery efforts particularly challenging, describing the scale of damage as unprecedented.

Meanwhile, Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA) Director Chris Stallings reported that emergency shelters are housing more than 500 displaced residents. Stallings also noted that nearly 700 cellphone towers are out of service, and portable towers have been installed to handle emergency 911 calls. Distribution centers have been established to provide residents with food, water, ice, and cleaning supplies.

In a step toward financial relief, Governor Kemp confirmed that he spoke with President Joe Biden yesterday, and Georgia has submitted an emergency declaration request to accelerate disaster funding for the state.

As Georgia continues to assess the damage and work toward recovery, residents are being asked to remain patient and follow safety guidelines as the state rebuilds in the wake of Hurricane Helene.