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Dolly Parton joins Hurricane Helene relief efforts as devastation and death toll rises

Internet InfoMedia dolly parton joins hurricane helene relief efforts as devastation and death toll rises

Dolly Parton and Walmart are set to announce commitments to Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

The country music star and Walmart CEO John Furner will appear together at a press conference.

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The Rocky Broad River flows into Lake Lure and overflows the town with debris from Chimney Rock, North Carolina after heavy rains from Hurricane Helene. (Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Hurricane Helene dumped trillions of gallons of water hundreds of miles inland, devastating communities nestled in mountains far from the threat of storm surge or sea level rise.

Due to the lack of electricity and cell service, locals are unable to communicate to find out where necessities are. Communication with loved ones and emergency personnel is also spotty, and residents are relying on temporary cell service towers that have been set up in select locations. But outside those locations, there is still no service or roaming data.

Cars sit submerged in a flooded area at a used tire dealer after Tropical Storm Helene in Hendersonville, North Carolina, U.S., September 27, 2024.    (Ken Ruinard/USA Today Network via Reuters)

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Chimney Rock was devastated by Hurricane Helene as debris floats in Lake Lure. (James Broyhill)

At least 224 people have lost their lives across six states due to Hurricane Helene, FOX Weather has confirmed. The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue continues to comb through new areas.

Before Helene, federal forecasters told residents in western North Carolina flooding from the hurricane could be “one of the most significant weather events to happen” since 1916. That year, a pair of hurricanes within a week killed at least 80 people, and the community of Altapass received more than 20 inches of rain (50.8 centimeters) in a 24-hour span.

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For her part, Parton has contributed to disaster relief efforts in the past. In August, the musician teamed up with Felix Cavaliere to re-record the popular song “My Hawaii.” 

All proceeds from the song are being gifted to the Maui United Way – Maui Fire Disaster Relief Fund. The financial assistance from the fund goes to survivors of the massive fire in Lahaina and Kula in 2023. The fire devastated Maui, killing 102 people, after Hawaiian Electric equipment was damaged by high winds.

Fox News Digital’s Audrey Conklin and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

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