FLORIDA, USA: Hurricane Helene, an “extremely dangerous” Category 4 storm, made landfall in Florida on Thursday, bringing with it devastating conditions.
Packing winds of 140 miles per hour, Helene struck near Perry, Florida, causing widespread flooding, power outages, and triggering a life-threatening storm surge. The US National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of a potentially “unsurvivable” 15 to 20-foot storm surge, with the capacity to swamp two-story buildings and destroy homes.
More than one million people lost power, and several cities on Florida’s west coast, including Tampa and St. Petersburg, saw significant flooding. The hurricane caused airports to close, and evacuation orders were issued, with authorities urging residents to heed warnings. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis mobilized the National Guard for search-and-rescue efforts, while President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris urged people to take the storm seriously.
The hurricane also triggered tornado warnings across northern Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, while rainfall of up to 20 inches was expected in some areas. The NHC warned of potentially deadly flooding and landslides in the southern Appalachians. The storm, which could affect multiple states from Florida to Tennessee, is one of the largest hurricanes to hit the US in recent years.
Experts have highlighted the role of climate change in the increasing intensity of storms like Helene, fueled by warmer oceans.
