In the United States, Hurricane Helene leaves death and chaos behind it

INTERNATIONAL – Flooded houses, hospitals forced to evacuate, thousands of people without electricity… In the southeast of the United States, Hurricane Helene hit this Friday, September 27, triggering massive floods which killed at least 33 people. It continues on its way as a tropical storm.

From Tallahassee, Florida to Charlotte, North Carolina, strong winds and heavy rains are still causing flash floods and falling trees this Friday evening.

Sea elevation of more than four meters

On the Florida coast, marine submersion has caused significant flooding, with sea levels rising by more than 15 feet in places.

In the same state, on Treasure Island, near Tampa, pleasure boats ran aground in gardens. Five deaths have been confirmed in this area, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.

“We have made almost 600 rescues”Deanne Criswell, head of the federal agency responsible for responding to natural disasters (Fema), declared on CNN. “The threat is not over” and the situation “is always dangerous”she added, highlighting the risk of flash flooding, particularly in the large city of Atlanta, Georgia.

The US Hurricane Center (NHC) has warned that flooding “historical” et “catastrophic”accompanied by landslides, would continue in the Appalachians until Friday evening.

A hospital under water

As waters rise in Tennessee this Friday, more than 50 people, patients and caregivers, are currently stranded on the roof of a completely flooded hospital, as you can see in the images below.

All access roads to the hospital are impassable due to flooding. Several ambulances float near the health infrastructure.

US President Joe Biden was briefed on the situation and approved the state of emergency declarations of the states of Florida, Georgia, South and North Carolina and Alabama. He urged residents to follow safety instructions from local authorities.

Amplified by climate change

Hélène made landfall in northwest Florida on Thursday evening as a category 4 hurricane on a scale of 5, with winds blowing at 225 km/h. It was the most powerful hurricane to ever hit this region, according to expert Michael Lowry.

By warming ocean waters, climate change makes the rapid intensification of these storms more likely and increases the risk of more powerful hurricanes.

After forming, Helene moved over particularly warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 30°C, according to climatologist Andra Garner. “It is likely that these very warm waters played a role in the rapid intensification of Hélène”underlined the researcher. “We also know that hurricane-related marine flooding is getting worse because ocean levels are rising as we warm the planet.”she explained.

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