Tropical Storm Helena brings devastation and fatalities across the American landscape
In the southeastern part of the United States, the hurricane named "Helene" is wreaking havoc with its full force. This destructive tropical storm has caused extensive damage in numerous states, resulting in the demise of at least 40 individuals.
As per reports from American media outlets, at least 40 lives have been lost in various states due to this storm. The devastation caused by "Helene" stretches from Florida in the south, reaching deep into the country's interior. In Tennessee, rescue teams successfully evacuated dozens of people from the hospital roof.
"Helene" made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane, with winds reaching up to 225 kilometers per hour, in Florida's Big Bend region on Thursday evening (local time). After weakening into a tropical storm, it moved northward across the Appalachians.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center continues to issue warnings about potential life-threatening flooding and landslides. U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris also warned, "The storm is still harmful and lethal, taking lives, and the risk of flooding continues to be high."
Power outages and flooding
Over 4 million households across the nation lost power due to the storm on Friday, as per data from "poweroutage.us". Homes were destroyed, and entire towns were submerged under water. Reports of people dying or being injured by fallen trees, as well as others losing their lives in their cars and homes. Numerous roads were washed away and closed in the affected regions.
Heavy flooding also occurred in the town of Erwin, Tennessee, where more than 50 individuals sought refuge on the hospital roof. Police and emergency services rescued them using a helicopter. All were successfully evacuated, Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty announced on the social media platform X.
In North Carolina, authorities urged residents of adjacent towns to evacuate due to the potential breakage of a dam at Lake Lur. Similar evacuation orders were issued in Newport, Tennessee, a city of approximately 7,000 residents, where a dam was at risk of breaking. In both instances, the all-clear was eventually given.
Uncertain death toll
As of now, the exact number of people killed by the storm remains uncertain. The "New York Times" reported 41 deaths in four states, ABC News reported 42, and CNN reported 45. Only eight deaths have been officially confirmed in Florida, 11 in Georgia, and two in North Carolina. The full extent of the destruction often only becomes evident several days after the storm has passed and the water has receded.
Storms like "Helene" bring to mind bleak memories of past storms in the United States. Two years ago, Hurricane "Ian" caused extensive damage in Florida, resulting in the deaths of over 100 individuals. At that time, the storm's center passed over densely populated areas in the southwest of the state and tore through coastal cities with winds of around 240 kilometers per hour.
Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean water. Experts suggest that increasing global warming increases the likelihood of severe storms. The hurricane season in the Atlantic extends from June 1 to November 30.
The storm's destructive power continued northward, with "Helene" weakening into a tropical storm that moved across the Appalachians. Despite weakening, the storm still posed a threat, causing power outages for over 4 million households across the nation on Friday.
Heavy flooding in Erwin, Tennessee, led over 50 individuals to seek refuge on the hospital roof. The situation was dire, but rescue teams managed to evacuate all of them using a helicopter.
