Southeast reels from deadly storm damage and heavy flooding

For many families waiting for the lights to come back on, the wait continues.

More than 1.6 million energy customers are without power as of 4.30 a.m. ET this morning, according to PowerOutage.us. This is a big drop from the 4 million customers without power in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene hitting Florida last Thursday.

But that will be small comfort to the 632,000 customers in North Carolina with no power, nor the 471,000 in Georgia.

Florida’s energy network has largely recovered, with 69,000 customers out this morning.

Desperate family members were waiting for word on more than 150 people still missing after flooding hit Tennessee. Some of missing were in a plastics factory that was flooded. Officials said the operation has shifted to a recovery effort. NBC News’ Priscilla Thompson reports. 

More than 100 people are reported dead in a number of states after Hurricane Helene swept through the Southeast, causing widespread damage and devastating flooding. Officials say thousands of people have still not been in touch with their loved ones. NBC News George Solis from hard-hit Asheville, N.C.