the death toll now stands at 93, the search for the missing continues

The human toll from Hurricane Helen continues to rise in the southeast of the United States. After the discovery of new victims in North Carolina on Sunday September 29, the death toll now stands at at least 93 people, according to the authorities. Searches continue to find missing people.

North Carolina is the most affected state, with thirty-seven deaths (compared to ten previously), including thirty in Buncombe County alone, where Asheville, a tourist hotspot, is located. “We have a new dramatic assessment. We have thirty confirmed deaths from the storm”announced Sunday during a press briefing the sheriff, Quentin Miller. “We are continuing search operations and we know that they may include the recovery [de corps] »he added. “This is one of the worst storms in modern history for parts of western North Carolina”Governor Roy Cooper declared on Friday.

Furthermore, at least twenty-five people died in South Carolina, seventeen in Georgia, eleven in Florida, two in Tennessee and one in Virginia, according to a report compiled by Agence France-Presse, based on declarations from local authorities.

Helene made landfall in northwest Florida on Thursday evening as a Category 4 hurricane on a scale of 5, packing winds measured at 225 km/h. The hurricane then progressed northwards, losing intensity, while leaving a landscape of desolation in its wake. Large areas have been destroyed by landslides and intense flooding.

Joe Biden will go there “as soon as possible”

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation caused by Hurricane Helene”declared US President Joe Biden on Saturday, stressing that “the road to recovery will be long”. On Sunday, the White House announced that he would visit affected areas in the coming days, “as long as it does not disrupt emergency response operations”.

The Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, is due to travel to Valdosta, a Georgia city affected by the hurricane, on Monday.

Rescue teams are still working to restore power and deal with the consequences of the massive floods which destroyed homes, roads and businesses. But their efforts are hampered by rugged terrain and blocked access routes. In South Carolina, two firefighters died.

Inaccessible areas

“Infrastructure suffered significant damage to water networks, communications, roads, transport routes and several houses were destroyed”summarized Sunday, on CBS, Deanne Criswell, of the Federal Emergency Agency (AFU).

In North Carolina, certain areas remain inaccessible and must be served by helicopter, the governor said. Four national axes also remain cut between North Carolina and Tennessee due to damage on ” many “ bridges, said Kristin White of the Department of Transportation.

Nearly 2.3 million homes are still without electricity, according to the poweroutage.us website, and thousands of people are being supported by the Red Cross, according to this organization.

As the hurricane approached, which has since been downgraded, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee declared a federal state of emergency and more than 800 personnel from the Federal Disaster Management Agency were deployed.

Flood alert still in force

A flood warning remains in effect for parts of western North Carolina due to the risk of dam failure, according to NWS Director Ken Graham.

The danger hovering over the Nolichucky, in Tennessee, was averted on Saturday by local authorities, after record level flooding. The downstream population was allowed to return home. In Erwin, in the same state, more than 50 patients and employees sheltering on the roof of a hospital had to be evacuated by helicopter.

After forming in the Gulf of Mexico, Helen moved over particularly warm waters. “It is likely that these very warm waters played a role in the rapid intensification of Hélène”underlined climatologist Andra Garner, for AFP.

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