The catastrophic flooding and destruction caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina likely caused at least a record $53 billion in damages and recovery needs, Gov. Roy Cooper's administration said Wednesday.

North Carolina officials say the catastrophic flooding and destruction from Hurricane Helene likely caused at least $53 billion in damages and recovery needs in the state.

The western North Carolina county that includes Asheville acknowledged on Tuesday that it had overcounted by 30 the number of people who died from the effects of Hurricane Helene last month. The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office revised the death toll down to 42,

North Carolina state legislators are returning to work to consider further relief for recovery from Hurricane Helene.

RALEIGH, N.C. (CN) — Initial estimates of hurricane damage in North Carolina come to at least $53.6 billion, as the state begins to evaluate the cost to meet needs, repair damage and recover from a lack of tourism revenue.

NCDHHS distributes free well disinfection and water collection kits to communities affected by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina for safe water consumption.

Authorities in North Carolina have confirmed 96 storm-related fatalities from Hurricane Helene and say 21 people are unaccounted for.