The devastating path charted by Hurricane Helene has taken at least 190 lives, decimated entire communities, and cut off access to food, water and power for many. It could also disrupt voting, including in North Carolina, one of just a handful of states likely to decide the 5 November presidential election.
Long before the storm made landfall on Thursday, politicos have kept a close eye on North Carolina as a key battleground state, with polls showing the state is closely divided in the choice between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris.
