Helena is one of the most dangerous storms ever recorded. The destruction has been immense and has affected people in six states. Thousands have been forced from their homes and loved ones; meanwhile, over 160 individuals have tragically lost their lives. Consequently, many are desperately looking for their family members, including John Norwood, who hasn’t seen his fiancé since they both took shelter in a neighbor’s house.
Hurricane Helene’s Intense Forces
“We looked outside and saw a wall of water about 30 feet high with rocks and tree debris rushing towards us,” Norwood shared with ABC News. This category 4 hurricane wrecked the house. “And we all got swept downriver,” he added. Luckily, Norwood was saved, but his fiancé remains missing. A rescue team used a pulley system to pull him and other survivors to safety “over fast-moving flood waters.” According to Norwood, a ceiling beam hit his leg hard. “I crawled around yelling for her,” he said about searching for his beloved fiancé, “and I just couldn’t find her.”
Many Missing After Hurricane Helene
Sadly, she is among hundreds still unaccounted for amid the chaos caused by Hurricane Helene. Several counties have declared emergencies including all 159 counties in Georgia. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s governor Roy Cooper is calling for an extraordinary response to this unusual event as many citizens are without power or food.
Homeland Security is Searching
Homeland Security advisor Liz Sherwood Randall stated that several hundred people are still missing or unaccounted for. “When I mentioned there could be up to 600 people lost my point was that there are 600 people unaccounted for,” she explained in an update press release. “That’s the number we’re tracking right now from multiple sources.” The department is working tirelessly to help families find their loved ones.
Hope Remains
While several hundred individuals remain missing or unlocated, Sherwood Randall noted that they “stay hopeful” some might just be without power or cell service at this time News of Hurricane Helene has sadly spread across the nation; scientists think they understand why it caused so much damage.
Chaos and Damage
Hurricane Helena made landfall on September 27th, 2024 in Perry Florida with an estimated path of about 500 miles causing chaos across more than six states! According to NOAA this hurricane is the most damaging storm ever recorded off Florida’s coast! It brought heavy rains following two other severe rainstorms affecting Georgia as well as North & South Carolina! “Rainfall from remnants of Hurricane Helene capped off three days of extreme precipitation,” explained NC’s Climate Office! Streamflows were already at record highs daily while countless like Norwood witnessed terrible mudslides!
Hurricane Helene Moves Inland
The strong Hurricane Helene moved inland reaching even into North Carolina’s Appalachian Mountains causing unexpected damage to homes & businesses along with “catastrophic flooding,” according to Climate Office reports! Meteorologist Doug Outlaw noted that because the storm had been pushed over mountains it “squeezed out more rainfall.” Furthermore,Hurricane Helene “intensified very quickly” through something called “rapid intensification.” As a result,Hurricane Helene jumped from Category one straight up too Category four within less than twenty-four hours!
Role Of Climate Change
Experts believe climate change also contributed significantly towards how severe Hurricane helena became! Reportedly,rainfall levels were fifty percent higher compared too previous storms recorded throughout parts of Georgia & Carolinas.Additionally,the Gulf water temperatures reached record highs where Hurrican helena intensified after forming within Caribbean Sea!
Hurricane Helena Affects Six States
This hurricane caused destruction across six states: Florida ,Georgia ,South Carolina ,North Carolina ,Virginia,and Tennessee—with Georgia along with Carolinas experiencing most devastation ! People lost homes belongings each other plus cell phone service making communication difficult ! Thus citizens nationwide worry about loved ones while relief funds begin rolling out !
Getting Involved
For example,the Red Cross alongside FEMA set up donation pages while Salvation Army collects food clothing donations .Moreover President Biden deployed over one thousand active-duty soldiers assisting National Guard relief efforts .
The tragic news surrounding Hurrican helena along its damages fatalities will forever mark history highlighting unpredictable outcomes stemming from climate change .However communities unite supporting Southeastern states showcasing compassion kindness found worldwide .
