Hurricane Helene: A Catastrophic Impact Leading to Over 210 Confirmed Deaths
Hurricane Helene has claimed over 210 lives, making it the second deadliest storm in the US in over 50 years. President Biden has been visiting affected areas, where communities face significant destruction and a long recovery ahead. The hurricane’s intensity has raised concerns regarding climate change and its role in natural disasters.
On October 3, officials confirmed that Hurricane Helene has resulted in over 210 fatalities, marking it as the second deadliest storm to impact the United States mainland in more than 50 years. President Joe Biden has been visiting the southeastern states affected by the hurricane, expressing his condolences to the residents who are grappling with the extensive repercussions of this disaster that has disrupted the lives of millions. The storm has led to significant flooding, making many roads impassable, and causing widespread power and water outages, leaving communities in a state of shock as they commence what is anticipated to be a long recovery process. According to an official compilation by Agence France-Presse (AFP), 212 deaths have been reported across North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia, with North Carolina alone accounting for the majority of these fatalities. The scale of destruction in parts of the state has been described by some officials as having a post-apocalyptic quality. During a visit to a damaged pecan farm in Georgia, President Biden stated, “I see you, I hear you, I grieve with you – and I promise you, we have your back.” Hurricane Helene stands as the deadliest hurricane to strike the US mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which claimed 1,392 lives. Despite extensive recovery efforts involving numerous federal responders and National Guard members, the death toll is expected to increase, as many individuals remain unaccounted for, particularly in the isolated mountainous regions. The Buncombe County authorities in North Carolina reported that they continue to locate survivors, although some residents are still trapped due to landslides and damaged infrastructure. In Asheville, a city renowned for its scenic mountains, substantial flooding has left streets covered in mud, with numerous buildings swept away along waterways. While disaster recovery and search efforts are ongoing, community members in towns like Swannanoa are banding together to assist one another by providing essential services and resources. Biden traveled to the northern Gulf Coast of Florida, where Hurricane Helene made landfall as a formidable Category 4 storm with wind speeds reaching 225 kilometers per hour. After surveying the devastation in Keaton Beach, he remarked, “Families, they lost everything, including loved ones,” reiterating the federal government’s commitment to assist in the recovery process. Officials and researchers indicated that climate change may have contributed to the rapid intensification of the storm, with the warmer ocean providing more energy for hurricanes. Biden emphasized the urgent need for action on climate change, stating that “a person must be brain-dead” to deny its impacts. In contrast, former president Donald Trump criticized the federal government’s response, making false claims regarding relief efforts, while dismissing climate change as a hoax. The Sierra Club linked the ferocity of Helene to record-high water temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, highlighting the significant impact of the climate crisis on weather patterns. As communities continue to recover, the unfortunate consequences of Hurricane Helene serve as a stark reminder of the increasing intensity of natural disasters in the context of climate change.
Hurricane Helene struck the southeastern United States in early October 2023, leaving behind a path of destruction spanning multiple states. The death toll has surpassed 210, making it one of the most lethal hurricanes in recent history. The disaster’s aftermath has prompted extensive federal and local response efforts, with President Biden personally visiting affected communities to provide support and address recovery needs.
Hurricane Helene’s impacts have been devastating, resulting in over 210 fatalities and massive destruction across several southeastern states. While recovery operations are underway, the storm serves as a reminder of the increasingly severe nature of weather events amidst ongoing climate change discussions. The federal government, led by President Biden, has dedicated efforts to assist communities in rebuilding and addressing the challenges posed by such calamities.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
