FEMA Administrator Links Hurricane Helene’s Devastation to Climate Change
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has linked the devastation from Hurricane Helene, which has led to at least 88 fatalities and historic flooding, to climate change. Warm Gulf waters are causing storms to intensify rapidly and modify the nature of damage predominantly from wind to water. The agency is actively engaged in rescue operations across affected states.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell has attributed the severe impacts of Hurricane Helene, including unprecedented flooding from the Florida coastline to the Appalachian Mountains, to climate change. The storm has reportedly claimed at least 88 lives, prompting urgent responses across multiple states. In a recent segment on CBS’s “Face the Nation,” Administrator Criswell emphasized that the storm’s rapid intensification was fueled by exceptionally warm Gulf waters. She noted, “this storm took a while to develop, but once it did, it developed and intensified very rapidly. And that’s because of the warm waters in the Gulf.” Criswell elaborated on the consequences of these warmer waters, indicating that they lead to a higher occurrence of category-level storms and increased rainfall. She stated that the nature of damage has shifted in hurricane events, saying, “In the past, when we would look at damage from hurricanes, it was primarily wind damage, with some water damage. But now we’re seeing so much more water damage. And I think that is a result of the warm waters, which is a result of climate change.” The administrator detailed the extensive repercussions experienced in states such as Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee, highlighting significant impacts on infrastructure, including water systems, transportation routes, and numerous homes that have been destroyed. She specifically identified North Carolina as facing “historic flooding,” particularly in its western regions. In response to the devastation, particularly in Buncombe County where the storm has caused considerable fatalities, local officials have expressed concerns regarding the retrieval of bodies from inaccessible locations. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper advised residents to stay clear of roads to enable emergency vehicles to operate effectively. Criswell confirmed that FEMA teams are actively engaged in search and rescue operations.
Hurricane Helene has been a significant weather event that has caused catastrophic flooding and a rising death toll across several southeastern states in the United States. The storm’s interaction with climate change factors, particularly warm ocean temperatures, has resulted in unprecedented levels of rainfall and flooding, diverting focus from traditional concerns about wind damage to the impacts of water inundation. FEMA’s response highlights the growing recognition of climate change as a critical factor in contemporary disaster management.
In summary, the catastrophic impact of Hurricane Helene has prompted FEMA officials to point to climate change as a central factor influencing the severity and type of damage experienced. The storm has resulted in significant loss of life and destruction across multiple states, demonstrating the urgent need for enhanced preparedness and response strategies in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Original Source: www.ibtimes.com
