US President Joe Biden announced today that he had spoken with the governors of Georgia and North Carolina, which were hit by Hurricane Helene, and said he would travel to the affected areas later this week. The element, which left millions of people without electricity in the southeastern part of the United States, claimed more than 100 lives, according to American media. White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall said later today that the death toll could be as high as 600.
Biden pointed to reports of more than 100 hurricane victims and 600 missing. He told North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper that he would arrive on the scene on Wednesday or Thursday. He also noted that he might call Congress for an emergency session to approve aid to the affected regions. “We will be here with you as long as it takes,” Biden said.
The White House Homeland Security Advisor spoke about the fact that there could be 600 victims later today. “According to the current figures, it looks like there could be as many as 600 casualties,” Sherwood-Randall said, adding that the number had yet to be confirmed.
The victims of the hurricane are reported in six states, namely Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and North and South Carolina. Days after Helene hit, western North Carolina and surrounding areas are likely to be at their worst, where people spent the weekend without power or cell service. At the same time, according to the Reuters agency, rescuers there continue to search diligently for people who are still missing.
Helene was already the fourth hurricane to hit the US territory this year. According to experts, the hurricane threat to the US is increasing as a result of climate warming, as the high temperature of the water in the Atlantic creates conditions for rapid intensification of storms. This scenario played out with Helene as well, and US meteorologists warned that another similar system could form in the same area as this storm later in the week.
Source: www.tyden.cz
