Around four million Americans in ten states remain without electricity on Saturday, September 28, after Hurricane Helene passed through the southeastern United States, leaving at least 44 dead. Rescuers are working to restore power and deal with the aftermath of massive flooding that has destroyed homes, roads and businesses in several states.
At least 19 people died in South Carolina, 15 in Georgia, seven in Florida, two in North Carolina and one in Virginia, according to a report prepared by Agence France-Presse based on statements from local authorities.
“Conditions will continue to improve on Saturday, after the catastrophic flooding of the last two days”wrote the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Hélène made landfall in northwest Florida on Thursday afternoon as a Category 4 hurricane on a scale of 5, with winds of 225 km/h.
“One of the worst storms in modern history”
On Cedar Key, an island of a few hundred people off the west coast of Florida, roofs were torn off and walls were smashed. Subsequently, the storm continued its journey through several American states, causing landslides and intense flooding, until Asheville, North Carolina.
“This is one of the worst storms in modern history in parts of western North Carolina.”declared the governor of this state, Roy Cooper, during a press conference on Friday afternoon. Emergency services are continuing rescue operations, his office announced.
The US Weather Service (NWS) also warned that a dam in East Tennessee was about to fail and asked residents downstream to “immediately move to higher ground”.
By warming ocean waters, climate change makes rapid intensification of storms more likely and increases the risk of more powerful hurricanes. After forming, Helene moved over particularly warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
