Hurricane Devastation: 11 killed, millions affected across five U.S. states

The devastating Category 4 hurricane that tore through the southeastern United States has claimed the lives of 11 individuals, including three firefighters, a woman and her one-month-old twins, and an 89-year-old woman whose house was hit by a falling tree.

The fatalities occurred across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia, according to an Associated Press tally.

With winds reaching 140 mph (225 kph) upon landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday, the storm caused widespread damage and power outages, even hitting hospitals in southern Georgia.

Gov. Brian Kemp reported the use of chainsaws to clear debris and open roads.

Moody’s Analytics estimates that property damage could range from $15 billion to $26 billion.

The hurricane’s wreckage spread as far as Tennessee, where a dangerous rescue mission unfolded after flooding at Unicoi County Hospital.

All 54 people trapped on the roof were rescued by helicopter.

In North Carolina, a lake featured in the movie Dirty Dancing overtopped a dam, prompting evacuations.

Although the dam held, residents in nearby areas, including Newport, Tennessee, were also evacuated due to concerns about another dam’s potential failure.