The death toll from Hurricane Michael's lethal sweep across the Southeast rose to 18 on Saturday when another victim was found in Virginia. State officials in affected areas, particularly Florida, expect it to go higher yet.
Thousands of people are still being reported missing by their friends and relatives, but emergency officials are unable to say whether they may be in real danger or simply unable to get in touch. Completing all the welfare checks requested could take weeks in hard hit regions.
For survivors, meanwhile, rebuilding is a daunting prospect. "Everybody just needs to help each other right now," said Florida Gov. Rick Scott (R) on Saturday. "They might have lost their house. They worry about their kids getting into school. You know, people don't sit and have a whole bunch of extra money in the bank just waiting for a disaster."
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