In the United States, there is desolation in the wake of Hurricane Helene. The latest death toll shows at least 64 deaths and it could rise. 5 states were affected by the raging elements.
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It was North Carolina that paid the heaviest price for Hélène, with at least 24 dead.
Since the hurricane quickly reverted to a storm after making landfall in Florida, it was not the wind, but the rain that caused damage at the foot of the Appalachian Mountains. Rainfall caused rivers to overflow, caused landslides and washed away roads.
The western part of North Carolina, around the city of Asheville in particular, is partly isolated, including for communications. Telephone networks are cut. It’s much the same thing in the west part of Tennessee.
In these areas, there is no electricity either, as is the case in several places in South Carolina and Georgia. Everywhere, local and federal authorities, who continue to warn residents, although the storm has calmed, are already in the process of restoring networks and cleaning up debris. When there is any left.
In Florida, where Helen struck as a Category 4 hurricane, but in a less densely populated region than the others, not much remains in the Cedar Key island chain, north of the city of Tampa.
The toll is less heavy in the state which was most heavily affected. Probably a little because the inhabitants are now used to these extreme events. And they know hurricane season isn’t over. Other developing storms are being closely monitored by weather services.
Also readUnited States: Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida and leaves several dead as it heads towards Georgia