Death Toll from Hurricane Helene Exceeds 150 as Rescue Operations Continue

Hurricane Helene’s toll has risen to over 150 deaths in the southeastern United States, prompting extensive rescue operations. Key political figures, including President Biden and Kamala Harris, are set to survey the damage in impacted states. The storm’s destruction, especially in North Carolina and South Carolina, highlights the ongoing crisis, as communities struggle with power outages and infrastructure damage, all while raising discussions around climate change.

The devastation inflicted by Hurricane Helene continues to be assessed as the confirmed death toll now exceeds 150 across the southeastern United States. Rescue operations are underway, with crews utilizing helicopters to navigate treacherous conditions and reach isolated communities severely impacted by the storm. Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is scheduled to visit Georgia on Wednesday to evaluate the damage firsthand. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is set to survey the destruction in North Carolina and South Carolina on the same day. The latest reports indicate that at least 155 individuals have perished due to Helene’s catastrophic impact. Among the hardest-hit regions are North Carolina, with 74 fatalities, South Carolina with 36, and Georgia reporting 25 deaths. Additionally, fatalities have occurred in Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. Emergency services are engaged in extensive efforts to restore critical infrastructure such as power and water services, with an estimated 1.4 million households still experiencing outages. Hundreds remain unaccounted for, and officials remain hopeful that some may be located once communication systems are restored. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper highlighted the overwhelming devastation, stating, “Communities were wiped off the map,” while South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster warned that the death toll could rise further. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s northern Gulf Coast as a fierce Category Four storm, producing winds of up to 140 miles per hour. The storm’s violent path of destruction extended more than 500 miles inland. The event has also become a focal point of political discourse, especially following remarks made by former President Donald Trump regarding the current administration’s response efforts. In response to inquiries regarding the impact of climate change, President Biden emphatically affirmed its connection to severe weather events, declaring, “Absolutely, positively, unequivocally, yes, yes, yes, yes.”

Hurricane Helene has emerged as one of the most powerful storms to strike the southeastern United States in recent history, coming ashore as a Category Four hurricane. Its passage has resulted in widespread destruction, prompting emergency declarations across several states. With a notable death toll and many individuals still missing, local, state, and federal agencies are coordinating rescue efforts amidst significant infrastructural challenges. The storm’s repercussions are particularly significant in relation to upcoming political campaigns, as both President Biden and candidate Kamala Harris assess the damage in key battleground states.

In summary, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene has resulted in over 150 confirmed deaths, with extensive rescue operations ongoing in several states. The storm’s impact has drawn national attention, intertwining the disaster response with the political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections. As leaders and communities work toward recovery, the acknowledgment of climate change’s role in exacerbating such severe weather events remains a critical discussion point.

Original Source: www.france24.com