The death toll from Hurricane Helene in the eastern and southeastern United States rose to 63 on Saturday, while millions of Americans in ten states remain without electricity, according to authorities. Helene hit northwest Florida on Thursday night, as a category 4 hurricane, on a scale of 5, with winds measured at 225 km/h. DIt then moved north, losing intensity, but leaving death and desolation behind it.
At least 24 people died in South Carolina, 17 in Georgia, 11 in Florida, ten in North Carolina and one in Virginia, according to a report compiled by the AFP agency based on statements from local authorities. “I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by Hurricane Helene,” declared the President of the United States, Joe Biden, on Saturday, adding: “The road to recovery will be long.”
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee declared a state of emergency and more than 800 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) personnel were deployed to the scene.
Now downgraded to a “post-tropical cyclone”, Helene is expected to hit the Ohio Valley and the central Appalachian region this Sunday, reported the National Hurricane Center (NHC), which also warned that power outages could be “long-lasting”.
According to the monitoring website poweroutage.us, more than 2.6 million people remain without electricity in ten states, from Florida to southeastern Indiana. Emergency crews are working to restore power and deal with the aftermath of massive flooding that has destroyed homes, roads and businesses. But their efforts are hampered by rough terrain and blocked roads.
On Cedar Key, an island of 700 people off the west coast of Florida, roofs were torn off houses and walls torn apart. Vast areas were destroyed by landslides and intense flooding, as far away as Asheville, North Carolina.
After forming in the Gulf of Mexico, Helene moved over particularly warm waters. “It is likely that these very warm waters contributed to its rapid intensification,” said climatologist Andra Garner.
According to scientists, by warming sea waters, climate change increases the likelihood of storms intensifying quickly and increasing the risk of more powerful hurricanes.
