The human toll caused by Hurricane Helen continues to rise in the southeastern United States. Following the discovery of new victims in North Carolina on Sunday, September 29, the death toll now rises to at least 91 people, according to authorities. Searches continue to find missing people.
North Carolina is the hardest hit state, with thirty-seven deaths (up from ten previously), thirty of them in Buncombe County alone, home to Asheville, a tourist hotspot. “We have a dramatic new evaluation. “We have 30 confirmed deaths from the storm”Sheriff Quentin Miller announced Sunday during a news conference. “We continue search operations and we know that they may include the recovery [de corps] »he added. “This is one of the worst storms in modern history in parts of western North Carolina.”Gov. Roy Cooper declared Friday.
In addition, at least twenty-five people died in South Carolina, seventeen in Georgia, eleven in Florida and one in Virginia, according to a report prepared by Agence France-Presse, based on statements from local authorities.
Helene made landfall in northwest Florida Thursday night as a Category 4 hurricane on a scale of 5, with winds measured at 140 mph. The hurricane then moved north, losing intensity, leaving a landscape of desolation in its wake. Large areas have been destroyed by landslides and intense flooding.
Joe Biden will go there “as soon as possible”
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.”US President Joe Biden declared on Saturday, stressing that “The road to recovery will be long”. On Sunday, the White House announced that it would visit affected areas in the coming days. “As long as it does not disrupt emergency response operations”.
Rescue teams are still working to restore power and deal with the aftermath of massive flooding that destroyed homes, roads and businesses. But their efforts are hampered by rugged terrain and blocked access routes. In South Carolina, two firefighters died.
Inaccessible areas
“The infrastructure suffered significant damage to water networks, communications, roads, transport routes and several homes were destroyed”Deanne Criswell, of the Federal Emergency Agency (AFU), summarized this Sunday on CBS.
In North Carolina, certain areas remain inaccessible and must be served by helicopter, the governor said. Four national highways between North Carolina and Tennessee also remain closed due to damage to ” many “ bridges, said Kristin White of the Department of Transportation.
Nearly 2.5 million homes remain without electricity, according to the website poweroutage.us, and thousands of people are supported by the Red Cross, according to this organization.
As the hurricane, which has since been downgraded, approached, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee declared a federal state of emergency and more than 800 personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency were deployed. Disasters.
The flood alert remains in force
According to NWS Director Ken Graham, a flood warning remains in effect for parts of western North Carolina due to the risk of dam failure.
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Record
The danger looming over the Nolichuky River, in Tennessee, was averted on Saturday by local authorities, after flooding at record levels. The population downstream was allowed to return home. In Erwin, in the same state, more than 50 patients and employees sheltered on the roof of a hospital had to be evacuated by helicopter.
After forming in the Gulf of Mexico, Helen moved over particularly warm waters. “It is likely that these very warm waters have contributed to the rapid intensification of Hélène”stressed climatologist Andra Garner, for AFP.
By warming sea waters, climate change makes rapid intensification of storms more likely and increases the risk of more powerful hurricanes, scientists say.
