Matthew's destruction from above: Shocking aerial photos lay bare the extent of the devastation caused by hurricane as the death toll climbs to 18 and Obama pledges federal aid 

  • Debris-covered beaches and flooded streets were seen throughout Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas  
  • NC Gov Pat McCrory revealed on Sunday morning that seven people were killed, four still missing 
  • There were also six reported deaths in Florida, four deaths in Georgia and one in South Carolina
  • Matthew was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone just before daybreak on Sunday morning
  • In North Carolina, Matthew flooded homes and businesses as far as 100 miles inland  
  • NC and Virginia could get more rain, warnings of the danger of life-threatening flooding through Monday

New shocking aerial photos have revealed the extent of Hurricane Matthew's devastation in the US after the storm ravaged the southeastern coast for nearly four days.  

The photos capture debris-covered beaches and flooded streets in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, where the storm killed a total of 18 people after leaving nearly 900 dead in its wake in Haiti earlier this week. 

Matthew was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone just before daybreak Sunday morning as it began making its slow exit to the sea.    

It finally moved out to sea and was centered about 150 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina as of 2pm, still sustaining hurricane-force winds of 75 mph.

President Obama signed major disaster declarations for Florida and Georgia on Sunday morning. 

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New shocking aerial photos have revealed the extent of Hurricane Matthew's devastation in the US after the storm ravaged the southeastern coast for nearly four days (pictured is Flagler Beach, Florida on Sunday) 

New shocking aerial photos have revealed the extent of Hurricane Matthew's devastation in the US after the storm ravaged the southeastern coast for nearly four days (pictured is Flagler Beach, Florida on Sunday) 

The streets were littered with debris while the roofs showed extensive damage in Florida's Crescent Beach 

The streets were littered with debris while the roofs showed extensive damage in Florida's Crescent Beach 

Historic Fort Pulaski National Monument is completely surrounded by flood waters in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

Historic Fort Pulaski National Monument is completely surrounded by flood waters in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

Workers survey damage to the roof of a hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday 

Workers survey damage to the roof of a hotel in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday 

The height of flood waters in Palm Coast, Florida could be seen in this picture from Saturday afternoon  

The height of flood waters in Palm Coast, Florida could be seen in this picture from Saturday afternoon  

Matthew unloaded more than a foot of rain on North Carolina, its final stop, on Saturday night and flooded homes and businesses as far as 100 miles inland. 

Governor Pat McCrory revealed on Sunday morning that seven people had been killed during the storm, the highest death toll of any state.

Six people were also been killed in Florida, four deaths - all caused by falling trees - were reported in Georgia, and one person died in South Carolina.

McCrory said one person was killed after their vehicle hydroplaned in heavy rain and two others died after their car became submerged in the flood waters. 

It has been estimated that Matthew will end up damaging roughly 1.5million residential and commercial properties in Florida (pictured is Palm Coast), Georgia and South Carolina

It has been estimated that Matthew will end up damaging roughly 1.5million residential and commercial properties in Florida (pictured is Palm Coast), Georgia and South Carolina

Property data firm CoreLogic projects that the total damage will cost between $4billion and $6billion in insured losses, anticipating 90 percent of insurance claims will be attributed to storm surges and wind damage from the storm

Property data firm CoreLogic projects that the total damage will cost between $4billion and $6billion in insured losses, anticipating 90 percent of insurance claims will be attributed to storm surges and wind damage from the storm

This aerial footage captured the dramatic moment a man was rescued from his roof in Pinetops, North Carolina on Sunday

This aerial footage captured the dramatic moment a man was rescued from his roof in Pinetops, North Carolina on Sunday

Tybee, Georgia Mayor Jason Buelterman surveys Matthew's damage from a helicopter

Tybee, Georgia Mayor Jason Buelterman surveys Matthew's damage from a helicopter

North Carolina congressman Tim Moore likewise surveyed the extent of the flooding to his state

North Carolina congressman Tim Moore likewise surveyed the extent of the flooding to his state

Another resident drowned after they drove past a barricade and were swept away into a creek.

As of late Sunday there are also four people missing in the state's Cumberland County, where more than 562 water rescues were also conducted, according to The Weather Channel.  

Officials are worried they may find more victims and said the problems were far from over as all that rain — more than a foot in places — flows into rivers and downstream, likely causing days of major flooding in many of the same places devastated by a similar deluge from Hurricane Floyd in 1999.  

'As the sun rises in North Carolina and the blue sky returns, our state is facing major destruction and, sadly, loss of life,' McCrory said as the effects of Saturday's deluge became clearer at daylight. 

Most of the dead were swept away by flood waters. The governor said there were rural areas that search and rescue teams hadn't been able to make it to and places that flooded overnight.

'There could be some backroads where we had people swept away. I'm praying that is not going to be,' McCrory added.

After unleashing days of havoc and fear across the Atlantic coast, Matthew has finally been stripped of its hurricane status. Pictured are flood waters in Charleston, South Carolina

After unleashing days of havoc and fear across the Atlantic coast, Matthew has finally been stripped of its hurricane status. Pictured are flood waters in Charleston, South Carolina

 Matthew was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone just before daybreak Sunday morning but flash floods continue to remain a danger in North Carolina (pictured is Wilmington on Saturday) 

 Matthew was downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone just before daybreak Sunday morning but flash floods continue to remain a danger in North Carolina (pictured is Wilmington on Saturday) 

Many in North Carolina were left  stranded in their cars due to flash flooding caused by Matthew (pictured is Wilmington beside the Cape Fear River on Saturday)

Many in North Carolina were left stranded in their cars due to flash flooding caused by Matthew (pictured is Wilmington beside the Cape Fear River on Saturday)

Two North Carolina Army National Guardsmen evacuate residents in Fayetteville on Saturday afternoon 

Two North Carolina Army National Guardsmen evacuate residents in Fayetteville on Saturday afternoon 

Life-threatening flash floods surprised many in the state on Saturday night, with 562 water rescues being conducted in just Cumberland County alone (pictured is Fayetteville) 

Life-threatening flash floods surprised many in the state on Saturday night, with 562 water rescues being conducted in just Cumberland County alone (pictured is Fayetteville) 

Forecasters warned North Carolina residents that there was  danger of life-threatening flooding through Monday night

Forecasters warned North Carolina residents that there was danger of life-threatening flooding through Monday night

The extent of flooding in the state could be seen Sunday morning, such as in this picture of Lumberton 

The extent of flooding in the state could be seen Sunday morning, such as in this picture of Lumberton 

A man walks through the flooded waters to his home in Lumberton on Sunday morning 

A man walks through the flooded waters to his home in Lumberton on Sunday morning 

North Carolina Gov Pat McCrory revealed on Sunday morning that seven people had been killed during the storm, the highest death toll of any state (pictured is Lumberton on Sunday)

North Carolina Gov Pat McCrory revealed on Sunday morning that seven people had been killed during the storm, the highest death toll of any state (pictured is Lumberton on Sunday)

Abandoned cars were spotted dotting the streets of Raleigh as the sun came out and Matthew headed towards the sea 

Abandoned cars were spotted dotting the streets of Raleigh as the sun came out and Matthew headed towards the sea 

Life-threatening flash floods surprised thousands in the state who were suddenly trapped in their homes and cars. 

Highway patrol troopers rescued 25 vehicles that became stranded on Interstate 95 while Coast Guard helicopters plucked people from rooftops. 

One woman whose car was overrun by flood waters held onto a tree for three hours before she could be rescued, while another woman and her small child had to be saved from the roof of her car. 

And in Brunswick County, about 100 hotel guests had to be taken by bus to a shelter because the main walls of the Comfort Inn Suites were on the verge of collapse.

A 63-year-old woman was rescued in Wilson County when rescuers were called after she didn't make it home from work. 

They heard her cries for help while riding on top of a Humvee, and when they couldn't get her with a rope, a National Guard soldier swam to her, staying until a rescue boat arrived. 

Matthew was centered about 60 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina on Sunday as it moved out to sea

Matthew was centered about 60 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina on Sunday as it moved out to sea

The tropical cyclone was still sustaining hurricane-force winds of 75 mph as of Sunday morning 

The tropical cyclone was still sustaining hurricane-force winds of 75 mph as of Sunday morning 

An abandoned truck lies in submerged waters on Sunday afternoon after Hurricane Matthew hit Lumberton

An abandoned truck lies in submerged waters on Sunday afternoon after Hurricane Matthew hit Lumberton

Pedestrians and drivers navigate rising waters along the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina on Saturday 

Pedestrians and drivers navigate rising waters along the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina on Saturday 

A car sits in flood waters due to rain from Hurricane Matthew in Rockingham, North Carolina on Saturday 

A car sits in flood waters due to rain from Hurricane Matthew in Rockingham, North Carolina on Saturday 

The extent of Matthew's damage in Florida (pictured is Port Orange), where six people were killed, could be seen on Sunday 

The extent of Matthew's damage in Florida (pictured is Port Orange), where six people were killed, could be seen on Sunday 

Cherie Monroe stands in the sun room of her home in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in Port Orange on Sunday

Cherie Monroe stands in the sun room of her home in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew in Port Orange on Sunday

Monroe's entire roof had been blown off her home as Matthew made its way across the state 

Monroe's entire roof had been blown off her home as Matthew made its way across the state 

Bug Mohani steers his wheelchair along a part of closed A1A highway washed out by the storm in Flagler Beach, Florida

Bug Mohani steers his wheelchair along a part of closed A1A highway washed out by the storm in Flagler Beach, Florida

Local residents surveyed the damage caused to their town after Matthew wreaked havoc up the state on Friday 

Local residents surveyed the damage caused to their town after Matthew wreaked havoc up the state on Friday 

The unofficial rainfall totals in North Carolina were staggering: 18 inches in Wilmington, 15 inches in Fayetteville and 8 inches in Raleigh.

Flooding along the state's Neuse River is expected to reach an all-time high, exceeding the record flooding from Hurricane Floyd in 1999 by more than two feet. 

The Lumber River in Lumberton was 4 feet above its record level Sunday afternoon and was forecast to remain there for at least five days. 

Cape Fear River, Tar River and Cashie River were also expected to near or surpass flood level stages and McCrory warned that cities along rivers in eastern North Carolina needed to be prepared for days of flooding. 

HURRICANE MATTHEW DEATH TOLL 

FLORIDA: 6 

GEORGIA: 4

SOUTH CAROLINA: 1 

NORTH CAROLINA: 7

HAITI: 877

'Most of our concerns right now are inland,' he said. 'We're going to have surges on the major rivers coming into North Carolina, which could cause some serious, serious damage.'    

Forecasters said the state as well as Virginia could get even more rain and warned of the danger of life-threatening flooding through Monday night. 

While the crisis was far from over in North Carolina, other places to the South began to survey Matthew's damage. 

The storm left 2.2million households and businesses without power across the Southeast over the weekend. 

South Carolina made up the bulk of that figure, with 746,000 power outages across the state as of early Sunday. 

There were more than 670,000 power outages in North Carolina and around 205,000 in Georgia as well, where much of Savannah was still without electricity.  

An especially dramatic rescue in Fayetteville was captured on camera Saturday night when three people became stranded

An especially dramatic rescue in Fayetteville was captured on camera Saturday night when three people became stranded

Crews from the NYPD and New York City Fire Department (FDNY) were able to successfully rescue the three occupants 

Crews from the NYPD and New York City Fire Department (FDNY) were able to successfully rescue the three occupants 

Florida, which was hit by Matthew on Friday, still has 561, 862 outages as of early Sunday morning but the power is expected to be restored for most customers by the end of the day.   

It has been estimated that Matthew, the most powerful hurricane to threaten the Atlantic Seaboard in more than a decade, will end up damaging roughly 1.5million residential and commercial properties in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.

Property data firm CoreLogic projects that the total damage will cost between $4billion and $6billion in insured losses, anticipating 90 percent of insurance claims will be attributed to storm surges and wind damage from the storm. 

On Saturday, Matthew sideswiped two of the South's oldest and most historic cities —  Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah - caused levels of flooding that had not been seen since 'the late 1800s', according to FEMA administrator Craig Fugate.

Some 20 inches inches of rain was dumped on the state before it made landfall at around 11am in the Cape Romaine National Wildlife Refuge Center near McClellanville.  

This aerial photo shows the extent of flooding in Charleston, where high tides caused by Matthew sailed over the city's historical seawall and flooded the streets that were simultaneously being pounded with heavy rains 

This aerial photo shows the extent of flooding in Charleston, where high tides caused by Matthew sailed over the city's historical seawall and flooded the streets that were simultaneously being pounded with heavy rains 

A resident kayaks in flood waters on Rutledge Avenue after Hurricane Matthew hit Charleston, South Carolina

A resident kayaks in flood waters on Rutledge Avenue after Hurricane Matthew hit Charleston, South Carolina

Four Charleston residents stand on their porch and survey Matthew's damage on Saturday afternoon 

Four Charleston residents stand on their porch and survey Matthew's damage on Saturday afternoon 

Residents of an upscale historic neighborhood wade through flood waters as they return to their home in Charleston 

Residents of an upscale historic neighborhood wade through flood waters as they return to their home in Charleston 

Streets and intersections in the city, which is made up of handsome pre-Civil War homes, church steeples and romantic carriage rides, were flooded in Charleston on Saturday 

Streets and intersections in the city, which is made up of handsome pre-Civil War homes, church steeples and romantic carriage rides, were flooded in Charleston on Saturday 

Charleston was one of the worst-hit cities in South Carolina, with waves rushing over its seawall and through its historic streets on Saturday morning as tides reached historic levels.  

A flash flood emergency, reserved only for the most life-threatening situations, was issued by the National Weather Service for areas in South and North Carolina, including their respective cities of Myrtle Beach and Raleigh.

Rainfall totals were at 17.5 inches in Savannah, Georgia by Saturday afternoon and reached almost 15 inches in Beaufort, South Carolina.

The Battery of Charleston, a landmark defensive seawall, could not hold back the waves as the tide rushed in and submerged the promenade of the popular tourist destination.

Streets and intersections in the city, which is made up of handsome pre-Civil War homes, church steeples and romantic carriage rides, were also flooded as the city was pounded with heavy rainfall.  

Matthew then shifted course north of Charleston to Myrtle Beach, where multiple houses were also damaged after a reported tornado hit the northern part of the city on Saturday morning. 

In Savnnah on Sunday about 150 people stood in line for a grocery store to open like it was a Black Friday sale.   

Debbie Berta said she waited more than an hour to get propane gas for her grill. She also wanted 'bread, potatoes, eggs — and a piece of sanity.'

A homeless woman named Valerie walks along flooded President Street after leaving her camp in Savannah on Saturday

A homeless woman named Valerie walks along flooded President Street after leaving her camp in Savannah on Saturday

A member of the Pooler Fire Department uses a boat to move residents of homes in a Savannah suburb 

A member of the Pooler Fire Department uses a boat to move residents of homes in a Savannah suburb 

An officer from the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department surveys a stranded car in the city's flooded waters 

An officer from the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department surveys a stranded car in the city's flooded waters 

Addie & Richard Schlemmer sit at the deserted City Market in Savannah after a sleepless night following the storm

Addie & Richard Schlemmer sit at the deserted City Market in Savannah after a sleepless night following the storm

After pounding North Carolina and drenching parts of Virginia, Matthew is expected to veer out to sea, lose steam and loop back around toward the Bahamas and Florida, where it will likely be too feeble to cause any trouble.

For nearly its entire run up the coast from Florida, Matthew hung just far enough offshore that communities did not feel the full force of its winds. 

But the storm still spread devastation across parts of the state, which saw six of its residents killed in Matthew's wake.  

An elderly St. Lucie County couple died from carbon monoxide fumes while running a generator in their garage during the storm, while two women were also killed in separate events when trees fell on a home and a camper.

The other two victims could not be reached by emergency services because of the storm after suffering medical conditions in their homes. 

Florida Gov. Rick Scott said the state had suffered an 'unbelievable' amount of beach erosion and fallen trees, but said he was grateful that Matthew had not made landfall. 

More than 5,900 people remained in 70 shelters across the state as of Saturday afternoon as many began to survey Matthew's damage and try to resume business as usual. 

All four deaths reported in Georgia were caused by trees that had been downed during the worst of the storm 

All four deaths reported in Georgia were caused by trees that had been downed during the worst of the storm 

An ambulance responding to a call passes by a truck damaged by a fallen tree on Interstate 16 West in Savannah

An ambulance responding to a call passes by a truck damaged by a fallen tree on Interstate 16 West in Savannah

Georgia Department of Transportation workers help repair downed street lights and power   in Savannah on Sunday

Georgia Department of Transportation workers help repair downed street lights and power in Savannah on Sunday

A tree and power lines blown over by Hurricane Matthew lay across a road on St. Simons Island, Georgia on Saturday

A tree and power lines blown over by Hurricane Matthew lay across a road on St. Simons Island, Georgia on Saturday

It has been estimated that Matthew will end up damaging roughly 1.5million residential and commercial properties in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Pictured here is a home in Savannah 

It has been estimated that Matthew will end up damaging roughly 1.5million residential and commercial properties in Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Pictured here is a home in Savannah 

Walt Disney World, which closed for only the fourth time in its 45-year history, reopened its doors on Saturday, as did Universal Orlando and SeaWorld.

Along Daytona Beach's main drag, the Silver Diner had all of its shiny metal siding ripped off the front and sides, leaving only a wood frame exposed.

Next door, the window of a souvenir shop had been blown out and the roof and ceiling torn through, leaving pink insulation dangling.

David Beasley, president of Insurance Recovery Inc., surveyed the damage and said that although it looked bad, the main strip was hit harder by Hurricane Charley and Hurricane Frances in 2004.

'This is not much compared to those two,' he said.  

By hugging the coast, the storm pretty much behaved as forecasters predicted. A shift of just 20 or 30 miles could have meant widespread devastation.

A man leans on a damaged boardwalk at a debris covered beach in St Augustine, Florida on Saturday

A man leans on a damaged boardwalk at a debris covered beach in St Augustine, Florida on Saturday

A boat is partially submerged in the Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach, Florida on Sunday morning 

A boat is partially submerged in the Halifax Harbor Marina in Daytona Beach, Florida on Sunday morning 

A damaged airplane was found lying upside down at Florida's Ormond Beach Municipal Airport in the aftermath of the storm

A damaged airplane was found lying upside down at Florida's Ormond Beach Municipal Airport in the aftermath of the storm

'People got incredibly lucky,' Colorado State University meteorology professor Phil Klotzbach. 'It was a super close call.'

While Matthew's wind speed had dropped considerably by the time it hit the Southeast coast, the storm will still go down as one of the most potent hurricanes on record, based on such factors as wind energy and longevity, and as one of the most long-lived major hurricanes, too.

It was a major hurricane — that is, with winds of at least 110 mph — for just over seven days. 

And the true extent of Matthew's devastation still remains unknown in Haiti, where at least 470 people died in just one of the country's districts in the hard-hit southwest region.   

Fridnel Kedler, coordinator for the Civil Protection Agency in Grand-Anse, said the total death toll - already near 900 - is 'sure to go up' as officials still have not been able to reach two communities in that department three days after the Category 4 storm hit.

Officials are especially concerned about Grand-Anse, located on the northern tip of the southwest peninsula, where they believe the death toll and damage is highest.   

Government and UN officials estimate that some 350,000 people in the country need help and the Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal for $6.9million to assist with aid.  

In this aerial photo, residents of St. Augustine wait along side the road to get clearance to return to their homes on Saturday

In this aerial photo, residents of St. Augustine wait along side the road to get clearance to return to their homes on Saturday

A beachfront home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, was ravaged by the storm, the wall of its living room ripped clean off 

A beachfront home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, was ravaged by the storm, the wall of its living room ripped clean off 

The roof of an adjacent condominium building lies on top of the roof of La Bella Inn in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

The roof of an adjacent condominium building lies on top of the roof of La Bella Inn in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew

Workers clean debris caused by Hurricane Matthew at a resort in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday 

Workers clean debris caused by Hurricane Matthew at a resort in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday 

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