Hurricane Helene has resulted in "historic flooding" and has been exacerbated by global warming, according to the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The storm has claimed at least 64 lives and has been described as a "true multi-state event" that has inflicted "significant infrastructure damage" across several states. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell emphasized the challenges ahead, stating, "This is going to be a really complicated recovery in each of the five states," which include Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The agency is preparing for a complex recovery process as communities begin to assess the extensive damage caused by the hurricane.