Rescuers race to free people trapped by Hurricane Helene as storm kills 35

Officials say the death toll as a result of Hurricane Helene has risen to 30 (Gerald Herbert/AP)

Hurricane Helene left an enormous path of destruction across Florida and the entire south-eastern US on Friday, killing at least 35 people across four states, snapping trees like twigs, tearing apart homes and sending rescue crews on desperate missions to save people from floodwaters.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said dozens of people were still trapped in buildings damaged by the Category 4 hurricane.