FLAT ROCK, North Carolina — The Southeastern US began a huge cleanup and recovery effort on Sunday (Sept 29) and the death toll climbed towards 100 after Hurricane Helene knocked out power for millions, destroyed roads and bridges and caused dramatic flooding from Florida to Virginia.

The storm's winds, rain and storm surge killed at least 90 people in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee and Virginia, according to a Reuters tally of state and local officials.

Officials feared still more bodies would be discovered.

With cellphone towers down across the region, hundreds of people had yet to make contact with loved ones and were listed as unaccounted for.

Damage estimates ranged from US$15 billion (S$19.2 billion) to more than US$100 billion, insurers and forecasters said over the weekend, as water systems, communications and critical transportation routes were affected.

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