Tropical Storm Helene has caused ‘historic flooding’ in the southeastern United States and left a trail of destruction in its wake.
Houses were destroyed and entire cities were flooded. There were reports of people being killed or injured by fallen trees, and others dying in their cars and homes. Numerous roads have been washed away and closed in the affected areas. Amid concerns that the Nolichucky Dam in Tennessee was imminent, residents in the affected areas were ordered to evacuate their homes by authorities.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that the risk of flash flooding is particularly high in the southern Appalachians. More than three million households across the country were without power, according to data from the website poweroutage.us. According to American media, at least 40 people have been killed in several states.
The destruction caused by the storm extended hundreds of miles inland from Florida in the south. The states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois are particularly affected. Authorities warn it may take longer for power to be restored.
Hurricane of the second highest category
‘Helene’ made landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on Thursday evening (local time) as a second-highest category hurricane with sustained winds of up to 225 kilometers per hour. This then weakened to a tropical storm and moved further north over the Appalachians. The US Hurricane Center continued to warn of life-threatening flooding and landslides. US Vice President Kamala Harris also sent words of warning to the population: “The storm remains dangerous and deadly, has cost lives and the risk of flooding remains high.”
People climbed onto the roof of the hospital
There was also severe flooding in the small town of Erwin, Tennessee. Here, more than fifty people climbed onto the roof of a hospital to save themselves from the floods. With the help of a helicopter, police and emergency services managed to bring people to safety. Everyone had been brought to safety, Senator Bill Hagerty said on Short Message Service X.
It is still unclear how many people were killed by the storm. The American broadcaster NBC reported at least 42 deaths, ABC News at least 44. With these types of storms, the extent of the destruction often only becomes visible after days. Storm victims are often not discovered until the storm has passed and the water has receded.
More storms due to climate change
Storms like ‘Helene’ bring back dark memories of previous storms for many people in the US. Two years ago, Hurricane “Ian” caused massive damage in Florida, killing more than 100 people. At that point, the center of the storm passed over densely populated areas in the southwestern part of the state, slamming into coastal cities with winds of about 150 miles per hour.
Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean waters. According to experts, increasing global warming increases the risk of severe storms. The Atlantic Ocean hurricane season starts on June 1 and lasts until November 30.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
