'Heartbreak': GA Gov. Brian Kemp confirms death toll from Hurricane Helene continues to climb

(13WMAZ) Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp confirmed the death toll from Hurricane Helene has continued to climb in Georgia, bringing the total number of lives lost to 33 people killed due to the storm.
“Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to those who have just experienced this heartbreak and this tragedy, to the communities that are affected,” Kemp said. “I just ask all Georgians to continue keeping these citizens and their community in your thoughts and prayers.”
During a press conference Thursday morning, Kemp says the increase comes after three people recently lost their lives in Chatham County from carbon monoxide poisoning stemming from the use of a generator, urging the public to ensure their generators are far enough away from their homes.
Right before the press conference, Kemp said he had “just gotten off the phone” with President Joe Biden and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack ahead of their visit to the state.
While thanking them for visiting, Kemp also highlighted the impact of the federal government designating 41 counties as eligible for additional emergency assistance. However, he says many counties not on the list still feel additional resources are needed.
“I did tell him I felt certain he would hear on the road that there are a lot of counties expressing their frustration that they haven’t been added to that list,” Kemp said. “So he’s aware of that situation on the ground.”
But one of the most long-standing issues is getting the power back on in counties that were hit hard from the storm.
Kemp says that the high was, at one point, 1.3 million customers without power. But after staying stubbornly high at nearly 575,000 without power at the start of this week, there are now just under 270,000 meters still without power in Georgia.
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