Axios

Hurricane Helene's death toll surpassed 200 on Thursday as rescue crews searched for survivors, one week after the major storm made landfall in Florida and brought flooding rains across the U.S. Southeast.

The big picture: The at least 215 deaths confirmed so far make the storm the third-deadliest of the 21st century, after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 (1,392 deaths) and Hurricane Maria in 2017 (at least 2,975 deaths).

Hurricane Helene's abating floodwaters have enabled residents across storm-hit Southeastern states to return home, but health officials warn survivors now face threats including contaminated water and mold.

The big picture: At least 215 storm-related deaths have been confirmed as teams continue searching for those missing. Thousands remain without power or access to clean water one week after the hurricane made landfall in Florida, dumping flooding rains across the Southeast.

Millions of people in the Southeast lost power as Hurricane Helene tore through communities from Tallahassee, Florida to Damascus, Virginia, and everywhere in between. Many remain in the dark days later.

The intrigue: The National Weather Service released this view from space that illustrates the trail of darkness left by Helene. The photo above was taken from a NOAA satellite on Saturday, Sept. 28, more than a day after the storm's landfall in Florida.