Hurricane Helene has left over 210 people dead, ranking it as the second deadliest US mainland storm in half a century. US President Joe Biden is on-site to console the affected regions, experiencing unprecedented floods and chaos.
The storm has devastated North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. Biden assured affected communities of ongoing support and vowed to find survivors amidst ongoing rescue efforts.
Helene’s impact is compared to Katrina in 2005, with the death toll expected to rise. Rescue operations are ongoing in remote areas, while communities struggle with power outages and destroyed infrastructure.
Families ‘lost everything’
Biden toured the Gulf Coast, observing the destruction as he pledged federal aid for recovery efforts. The storm’s intensity is linked to climate change, emphasizing the urgent need for climate action.
Former President Donald Trump criticized storm response efforts, while environmentalists warn that Helene’s impact is a clear indicator of the climate crisis at play.