Speaking from the White House, President Biden delivered fresh remarks this morning about the situation in south-east US - calling Helene "devastating" and speaking directly to those affected.

If you're just joining us, or need a recap, here's a quick rundown of what he said:

• Biden called the hurricane "history-making", saying it has impacted at least 10 US states and washed away businesses and homes "in an instant"
• He said there are still people unaccounted for in the aftermath of the storm, and that deployed search and rescue teams will not leave the devastated areas until everyone is found
• Biden plans to travel to the communities hit by Helene by Wednesday or Thursday of this week, he said, adding that he doesn't want his presence to hinder search and rescue operations
• In response to criticism about his whereabouts since Helene made landfall, Biden defended himself by saying: "I was commanding. I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday and the day before," referring to conversations he has had with local officials about the disaster response

Image source, Reuters

On his way out, Biden answers a question from a reporter in the room about his whereabouts in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

"Why weren't you and vice-president [Kamala] Harris here in Washington commanding [the response] this weekend?" the reporter asks.

As he is walking away from the podium, Biden turns around and responds: "I was commanding. I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday and the day before as well."

After telling locals to listen to safety instructions, and to "stay safe", President Biden says he hopes to be in some of the worst-hit areas by Wednesday or Thursday this week.

But he insists his going there must not hinder any search and rescue operations - something his vice president has also been saying when asked if she'll visit the south-east.

He then takes a couple of questions from reporters.

Asked if he'll request a "supplemental" from Congress to help the affected communities, Biden says that's his expectation.

While praising search and rescue teams for their work, Biden mentions one volunteer team that was set to travel from San Diego, California to Louisiana in order to help.

But on their way, he says, they suffered “a terrible car accident in Louisiana”.

“We pray for their full recovery, but it was a bad accident,” he says.

Reports on the accident say that three firefighters from San Diego were injured in the crash early on Sunday morning. They were transported by an air helicopter to a nearby hospital, officials say.

Biden says businesses and residences in south-east US, where Helene hit, have been washed away "in an instant".

Officials and rescue teams won't leave until the job is done, he assures locals, saying more than 3,600 personnel have been deployed.

"That's growing everyday," he says, repeating that officials "won't rest" until everyone is accounted for.

Image source, Reuters

President Joe Biden begins his address to the nation following Hurricane Helene.

He calls it a "history-making" and "devastating" storm with an impact felt across at least 10 US states, adding that he has spoken to local leaders at length about what is needed for recovery.

Biden adds that local residents have suffered as a result of Helene, with some people still awaiting to hear if their loved ones are safe and accounted for.

Ahead of Biden's address, due to start any minute, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has said many communities in his state have been "wiped off the map".

Speaking to reporters, Cooper says it's an "unprecedented storm" and that the "emotional and physical toll here is indescribable."

In quotes cited by AFP news agency, he warns that the "danger is not yet over", with rivers still rising, and that hundreds of roads had been destroyed.

He adds that the state is working to "surge" in supplies for people who "desperately need them".

After making landfall in Florida last Thursday, Helene moved north - bringing destruction to Georgia and the Carolinas along the way.

The storm slammed into the Gulf Coast as a category four hurricane, making it one of the most powerful to hit the US in history, but was later downgraded to a tropical storm.

Over the weekend, officials said the situation in North Carolina had worsened, with 30 killed in one county and supplies having to be airlifted in to areas that couldn't be reached due to closed roads.

At least 116 people have died nationwide and some remain without power or water.

We're expecting an update from President Biden in the next few minutes, which we'll bring you live.

In the next few minutes, we're due to hear from the US president about the extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene - which officials are still learning as they continue to reach damaged areas.

Joe Biden will speak from the White House and you'll be able to watch his remarks for yourself at the top of this page - or by pressing play below.

We'll also bring you the key lines, so stay tuned.

There are more than 50 search teams across North Carolina working to rescue people stranded by the storm.

Over the weekend, more than 100 people were rescued in the state, including 41 people from the same town north of Asheville. Officials are also airlifting emergency supplies, including food and water, to certain areas that cannot be reached due to road closures.

“This is an unprecedented tragedy that requires an unprecedented response,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said over the weekend.

Rescue missions are being conducted in all of the states hit by Helene. In Florida, officials have conducted thousands of rescues, and in Tennessee, people had to be saved from their roofs as flood water covered their houses.

• A reminder: Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday, as a category four hurricane, and then moved north over Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee before being downgraded to a tropical storm.

In his latest storm update, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said the effects of the hurricane on his state have been completely devastating.

He told CNN this morning that many towns were "completely cut off".

"That number has gone up this morning," the governor said. "It's very difficult to tell with all of the flood waters, and by the way, rivers are still rising, so the danger is not over."

Cooper said the rugged terrain in western North Carolina was making rescues challenging. He urged people to stay off of the roads to avoid danger and to make sure that officials can complete search and rescue efforts.

Image source, Getty Images

Sam Hancock
Live page editor, in Washington DC

Helene - which began as a hurricane but was later downgraded to a storm - has destroyed communities across six south-east US states and, according to the BBC's US partner CBS, claimed more than 116 lives.

North Carolina has become the latest state that recue teams are focusing their efforts on, with footage over the weekend showing buildings there completely flattened and debris floating in a huge lake.

"This is a devastating catastrophe of historic proportions," Governor Roy Cooper was quoted by CNN as saying earlier. "People that I talk to in western North Carolina say they have never seen anything like this."

We've got teams heading there now, who'll bring us the latest from on the ground. Until then, myself and the rest of the DC team will bring you updates as we learn them. Stay tuned.