Hurricane Helene has left a trail of destruction across the southeastern United States, claiming the lives of at least 44 people and causing widespread power outages. As the storm continues to wreak havoc with heavy rains and flooding, experts warn that this may be the ‘new normal’ due to the impact of global warming.
A Devastating Landfal
The National Hurricane Center said the Category 4 Hurricane Helene landed near Tallahassee, Florida overnight leading to heavy flooding and extensive damage. In the States, more than 40 people have said to have died with five thousand homes flooded in hardest hit Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
There, the full effect of the hurricane was visible in Cedar Key —a small island community located just around 30 miles from Florida’s northwest coast. Some of those pastel-coloured wooden homes, which simply stood no chance when the storm surge and ferocious winds hit, were obliterated entirely. Cedar Key water and sewer district superintendent Gabe Doty put his heartbreak into words. I’m born and raise this area, it tears my heart out,” he said. We’ve not had a lot of luck around here in that area.
Power Outages And Rescue Operations Spread
As the storm has lingered, more than 4.2 million customers in 10 states were without power, including Florida’s — roughly half of all Floridians. First-responders have been scrambling to carry out massive rescues, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) saying more than 600 rescue operations have taken place so far.
In the small Tennessee town of Erwin, over fifty patients and staff become trapped on a hospital roof while torrents below flooded. In order to save these people, helicopters are sent to perform a rescue operation, indicating the urgency for action and coordination in dealing with the crisis.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also cautioned about the ongoing dangers, saying damage from Hurricane Helene has eclipsed destruction wrought by previous storms in the same area. An emergency responder died in Georgia when Tormenta Tropical Fred slammed into the state on Tuesday, killed at least 15 people and highlighted the dangers faced by those working to protect lives during this catastrophe.
Conclusion
Hurricane Helene’s destruction was a telling example of more frequent weather events across the globe becoming more likely and extreme due to a rapidly changing climate. Experts say that, without major moves to stem the causes of global warming happening right now, this is likely ‘the new normal’ as communities in the southeast begin rebuilding. The time has come for decisive action to combat climate change and enhance resilience to these kinds of worst-case-scenarios.
