Hurricane Helene has resulted in a death toll exceeding 150 in the United States, particularly affecting North Carolina and Georgia. President Biden and Vice President Harris are preparing to assess the devastation, with ongoing rescue operations and power restoration efforts underway. The storm has triggered political debates regarding response measures and the influence of climate change on hurricane severity.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has led to a tragic death toll exceeding 150 individuals in the United States, prompting ongoing rescue efforts by crews utilizing helicopters to reach isolated areas affected by the storm. On Tuesday, reports indicated that at least 155 fatalities were confirmed, with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris preparing to assess the damage first-hand. President Biden will visit North Carolina and South Carolina, while Vice President Harris will be traveling to Georgia, both states among those hardest hit and significant as battlegrounds in the upcoming presidential election. The fatalities have been reported as follows: 74 in North Carolina, 36 in South Carolina, 25 in Georgia, 14 in Florida, four in Tennessee, and two in Virginia, with officials continuing to search for hundreds who remain unaccounted for. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper expressed that the extent of the destruction was unprecedented, stating, “The challenges are immense… communities were wiped off the map,” while also indicating that he anticipates the death toll may rise further. In South Carolina, Governor Henry McMaster confirmed the rising death toll, warning it could increase as recovery operations continue. As of early Monday evening, over 1.4 million properties were without power, highlighting the extensive nature of the storm’s impact, which struck as a fierce Category Four hurricane with winds reaching 140 miles per hour. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has also been marred by a political discourse; former President Trump criticized the Biden administration’s response to the disaster, to which President Biden firmly countered, attributing the storm’s severity to climate change, stating, “Absolutely, positively, unequivocally, yes, yes, yes, yes.”
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida’s northern Gulf Coast as a powerful Category Four hurricane, has left a devastating impact throughout the southeastern United States. The hurricane’s rapid intensification and significant destruction have reignited discussions on the relationship between climate change and severe weather events. With key political figures involved in response efforts and recovery, the situation highlights the intersection of environmental challenges and political accountability.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene has resulted in over 155 confirmed deaths across several states, with North Carolina and Georgia as the most severely impacted. Emergency services persist in their recovery efforts, battling significant infrastructural damage and widespread power outages. The incident has also sparked intense political dialogue concerning disaster management and climate change implications.
Original Source: www.france24.com
