At least 40 people have lost their lives in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastating passage through the south east of the US. The deadly storm, which has been downgraded to a tropical depression, left a trail of destruction, with dramatic footage showing houses in ruins and trees uprooted by winds reaching speeds of up to 140 mph.
Emergency crews are currently engaged in rescue operations to assist those trapped in flooded homes, with millions left without electricity due to the storm’s impact. The Category 4 hurricane claimed the lives of at least 15 people in Georgia, including a first responder and two young children who were trapped in their burning home by a falling tree. In South Carolina, at least 17 storm-related deaths have been reported, including two firefighters who lost their lives when a tree struck their vehicle.
Elsewhere, multiple fatalities have been recorded in Florida due to flooding and accidents caused by the storm. Governor Ron DeSantis praised the efforts of first responders in carrying out successful search and rescue operations in the affected areas. In Tennessee, a second dam suffered a catastrophic failure following heavy rainfall and flash flooding.
Helene marks the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, contributing to what is predicted to be an above-average season due to warm ocean temperatures exacerbated by human-induced climate change. The widespread devastation and loss of life serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for action to mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events.
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Photo credit inews.co.uk
