Hurricane Helene has claimed at least 189 lives, making it the deadliest storm to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina. The storm has caused widespread destruction, leaving over 1.2 million without power across several southern states. President Biden has deployed active-duty soldiers to assist with recovery efforts, while Congress is urged to convene to address the disaster’s impacts.
Hurricane Helene has become a devastating disaster, with the confirmed death toll rising to at least 189 individuals as of Wednesday evening, as reported by The Associated Press. This marks Helene as the deadliest hurricane to make landfall in the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina. The catastrophic impacts of the storm, which include a significant storm surge, extensive wind damage, and severe inland flooding, have wreaked havoc across several states, particularly Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Neighborhoods have been flooded, homes destroyed, and many residents have found themselves stranded. As recovery efforts progress, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the affected regions to assess the destruction. During a gathering in Raleigh, North Carolina, President Biden assured residents, stating, “I’m here to say the United States — the nation — has your back. We’re not leaving till you’re back on your feet completely.” Hurricane Helene made landfall as a massive Category 4 hurricane in Florida, marking it as the strongest hurricane recorded in the Big Bend region. As recovery continues, it has been reported that over 1.2 million customers are currently without power, with South Carolina suffering the most outages, followed closely by North Carolina and Georgia. In response to the overwhelming needs of affected communities, President Biden announced the deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to bolster the North Carolina National Guard. This deployment aims to expedite the distribution of essential supplies such as food, water, and medicine. Biden emphasized the importance of this initiative, asserting that these soldiers possess the necessary resources to assist isolated communities swiftly. Moreover, a bipartisan group of Senate leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Mitch McConnell, issued a joint letter advocating for Congress to convene and address the pressing needs of the states affected by Hurricane Helene. The letter noted, “Although the true level of devastation is still unfolding, it is clear that Congress must act to meet the unmet needs in our states and address the scope and scale of destruction experienced by our constituents.” They urged Congress to reconvene in October to facilitate timely legislative action that could provide critical relief for the millions impacted by this disaster.
Hurricane Helene has emerged as one of the most catastrophic storms to hit the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It demonstrates the increasing severity of hurricanes as climate change continues to affect weather patterns and intensify storms. The impact of Helene has been exacerbated by the combination of storm surge, heavy winds, and inland flooding, leading to the tragic loss of life and destruction across several southeastern states. As recovery efforts begin, the urgency to provide assistance and resources to affected communities has prompted government leaders to take immediate action, showcasing a coordinated federal response to such natural disasters.
In conclusion, Hurricane Helene has resulted in significant loss of life and extensive damage across multiple states, marking it the deadliest hurricane since Hurricane Katrina. The federal response is underway, with the deployment of military personnel to aid recovery efforts and ensure the delivery of essential supplies. As the true extent of the catastrophe continues to unfold, there is a collective call from lawmakers for Congress to take action to provide relief to those affected by this historic storm.
Original Source: abc11.com
