WASHINGTON, Nov 19 (Reuters) – U.S. single-family homebuilding tumbled in October likely as Hurricanes Helene and Milton depressed activity in the South while permits rose slightly, indicating that an anticipated rebound probably would be muted by higher mortgage rates.

The report from the Commerce Department on Tuesday suggested that residential investment, which includes homebuilding, remained subdued at the start of the fourth quarter after contracting in the last two quarters.