Hurricane Helene has rocked the United States, leading to the death of at least 116 people and causing power outages in more than two million households across the country.

The storm, which started last Thursday, brought catastrophic flooding, tornado damage, collapsed trees, and closed roads in six states.

According to the BBC, Helene is the most powerful hurricane on record to hit Florida.

A​t least 42 people have been reported dead in North Carolina, 29 in South Carolina, 25 in Georgia, 15 in Florida, two in Tennessee and one in Virginia.

Buncombe County in Florida appeared to be the most severely affected area, with at least 30 fatalities reported there.

About 1,000 people have “remained unaccounted for” in the county due to lack of cell phone service and electricity.

Ryan Cole, an emergency official in the county, described the hurricane as “a biblical devastation”.

“This is the most significant natural disaster that any one of us has ever seen,” Cole added.

As of Monday morning, 500,000 people remained without power in both North Carolina and Georgia as well as 750,000 in South Carolina.

North Carolina and the Big Bend region of Florida experienced devastating flooding, with certain areas completely submerged.

Coastal and island towns, such as Cedar Key and Treasure Island, suffered storm surge flooding exceeding 15 feet above ground level.

Recovery from the storm is estimated to cost between $95 and $110 billion nationwide.

Officials have, however, warned that more storms could be on the horizon, as the end of hurricane season is not until November 30.

Seventeen people have been killed in a mass shooting in a remote South African town.

According to the BBC, the police said two homesteads in the town of Lusikisiki in the Eastern Cape, were targeted.

At least 12 women and one man were said to have been killed in one location, with three women and one man murdered in a second location.

An 18th victim is in critical condition in hospital.

The police said a manhunt for the perpetrators is under way.

Senzo Mchunu, the police minister, is expected to provide an update and visit the area where the attack occurred.

South African media report that the victims were preparing to attend a traditional mourning ceremony for a mother and daughter who were murdered a year ago.

They were packing goods and presents, including furniture, for the event when the attacked occurred on Friday night.

“The gunmen came and shot randomly, killing everyone. Women and children were also killed in the bloody shooting,“ the reports read.

“This has left the community terrified.”

Officials are yet to determine the motive or make any arrests.

Benin Republic prosecutors say they have foiled a suspected coup attempt scheduled to take place on Friday.

In a statement on Wednesday, Elonm Metonou, special prosecutor at Benin’s court for financial crimes and terrorism, said Oswald Homeky, a former sports minister, was caught Tuesday night handing over six bags of cash to Djimon Tevoedjre, commander of the republican guard and head of President Patrice Talon’s security.

Metonou said the bag contained 1.5 billion West African CFA francs (about $2.5 million).

Authorities said the suspects opened a bank account in Côte d’Ivoire under the commander’s name on August 6, adding that the money was transported in Homeky’s Toyota Prado, which bore fake license plates.

Olivier Boko, businessman and Talon’s longtime friend who was arrested separately on Monday, was in on the plot, according to the statement.

Boko was arrested in Cotonou, Benin’s economic capital. The businessman had recently started making known his plans to run for the presidency in 2026, when Talon’s second term in office ends.

According to investigators, Homeky and Boko paid off the military commander to not resist the planned coup.

Metonou said investigations are ongoing to arrest other suspects.

Since 2020, neighboring countries have experienced eight successful military takeovers and several attempts.

Talon, who has led Benin since 2016, faces criticism for what critics say is becoming an increasingly authoritarian rule.

Some observers argue that his policies have eroded democratic standards in the country.