President Biden and Vice President Harris tour Helene-ravaged areas | USA TODAY

President Joe Biden will take an aerial tour of Hurricane Helene's devastation Wednesday while residents here and across much of the Southeast press on with the arduous process of rebuilding their shattered communities, homes and lives. The death toll across the Southeast was at least 162 early Wednesday and was expected to rise. Buncombe County, home to Asheville, has reported 57 deaths. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper was on the ground in his state Tuesday, touring a local hospital, chatting with residents and officials and helping hand out free meals.