BOONE, N.C – Reconstruction efforts are underway in the Southeast as communities grapple with the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which left dozens dead, entire neighborhoods underwater and millions without power. The stubborn remnants of the deadly storm continued to cause major disruption Saturday.

The Category 4 storm, which made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region with winds of 140 miles per hour, claimed at least 51 lives in five states. Hundreds were rescued from widespread flooding and property damage caused by the storm’s relentless rains and winds.

The death toll rises as Helene triggers catastrophic flooding in the southeast, knocking out power to millions

As of Saturday, power outages continued to occur in more than a dozen states, affecting over 3 million customers – a slight improvement from the peak of the storm, when 4.7 million were without power.

Fox Weather’s exclusive storm tracker reports on the pursuit of Helene

In this aerial photo, energy crews work on lines after Hurricane Helene passed offshore in Crystal River, Florida, on September 27, 2024.

(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Devastating storm surge with wind gusts of nearly 100 miles per hour rocks Florida

Helene’s storm surge caused catastrophic damage to Florida’s Gulf Coast, where nearly half a million people were still without power as of Saturday morning. The Big Bend region experienced flooding of more than 15 feet, while Clearwater Beach and Tampa recorded their highest levels in decades.

BOATS SEEN BACKED UP AGAINST HOMES ON TREASURE ISLAND AFTER HELENE’S SURVEILLANCE DEVASTATED THE FLORIDA COAST

The small barrier island of Treasure Island was particularly devastated, with widespread flooding and property damage.

When Helene made landfall, wind gusts reached speeds of up to 99 miles per hour in Perry, Florida.

After making landfall, the storm moved quickly through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, splintering homes and flooding rivers and dams.

A catastrophe flood The threat was narrowly avoided Saturday along the Nolichucky River to the east Tennessee as remains of Helene unleashed torrentially Amount of precipitationbringing the river to the brink of a critical emergency.

The National Weather Service (NWS) declared a major flash flood emergency late Friday as the Nolichucky Dam in Greeneville It was feared to be on the verge of collapse, posing an imminent danger to communities downstream. However, the dam has survived the attack and the water, although still several feet above record flood levels, is beginning to recede.

WATCH: TENNESSEE DAM JUST AVOIDS FAILURE AFTER HEAVY RAIN FROM HELENE

This came after a record 28 flash flood emergencies were triggered across the Southeast, including Georgia, western North Carolina, parts of South Carolina and Virginia. Friday saw the most flash flood emergencies in a single day nationwide.

Even as the storm weakened into a post-tropical cyclone, its devastating effects continued to be felt.

INTERSTATE 40 partially collapses after catastrophic rainfall in North Carolina

Dozens of water rescues as record flooding hits western North Carolina, Atlanta

In North Carolina, the storm’s heavy rains caused catastrophic flooding, particularly in the Asheville area. At least 50 water rescues were reported, tragically resulting in the loss of 19 lives. The flooding was so severe that parts of the state remained underwater for days after the storm.

A group of friends in Boone canoed for 32 minutes on the flooded South Fork New River and ended up on a washed out road Friday.

“We saw trailers floating by and cars overturned,” said one of the friends.

Friends talk after canoeing for 32 minutes on the flooded South Fork New River and ending up on a washed out road on September 27, 2024 in Boone, North Carolina.

(Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Atlanta experienced its first-ever flash flood, breaking a 138-year-old rainfall record with 11.18 inches in two days. This led to severe flooding that inundated entire parts of the city.

Rescue workers worked tirelessly to rescue stranded people, including a woman who was rescued by FOX weather meteorologist Bob Van Dillen. Hearing their cries for help while reporting nearby, Van Dillen immediately jumped into action to save them from the rising tide.

Helene, now post-tropical, will continue to bring flooding rains over the weekend as a breakdown in the weather pattern will allow the system to meander across the East, the FOX Forecast Center said.

About 2 to 4 inches of additional rain is expected from West Tennessee to Ohio. More rain is expected in the northern Appalachians. The lingering effects of Helene are expected to finally leave the northeast late Tuesday and Wednesday.