Hurricane Helene caused at least 10 deaths as it tore through the southeastern US, with six fatalities reported in Georgia alone. The storm, which made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, has left more than 3 million people without power in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. The storm also triggered flash flood emergencies in several counties.
Veteran meteorologist Jeff Masters noted that Helene is the eighth Category 4 or 5 cyclone to make landfall in the last eight years, a sharp increase compared to the previous 57 years. This trend is attributed to the impact of the climate emergency on hurricane activity, with storms becoming fiercer and accelerating more quickly due to human-caused climate change.
Rescue operations are ongoing in the affected areas, with over 600 rescues already conducted by emergency crews. Among the reported deaths, two individuals were killed in Florida, a four-year-old girl and one person in North Carolina, as well as multiple fatalities in Georgia. At least three million people are currently without power, and storm watches and warnings are in place in 12 states. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to provide updates on the situation in his state.
The storm’s impact has been devastating, with significant damage caused by flooding, fallen trees, and storm debris. The aftermath of Hurricane Helene continues to unfold as authorities work to assess the full extent of the damage and provide assistance to those affected.
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