Tropical Storm Helene, previously a category 4 hurricane, has left at least 20 people dead across the south-eastern US, with Georgia being the hardest-hit state. Governor Brian Kemp confirmed that a first responder was among the 11 confirmed deaths in Georgia, urging residents to be patient as emergency crews work to clear roads and rescue stranded residents. The storm also claimed lives in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, with several of the deaths attributed to falling trees.
Helene’s impact has led to historic and catastrophic flooding, with a storm surge of over 15ft reported in Florida. Despite being downgraded to a tropical storm, Helene continues to pose significant dangers, prompting evacuations and rescue missions in multiple states.
Debris from the storm has caused damage to homes and infrastructure, with power outages affecting millions of people across the region. The storm’s destruction highlights the increasing intensity and frequency of hurricanes, attributed to climate change. As rescue efforts continue and the region grapples with the aftermath of Helene, officials are urging residents to stay safe and heed evacuation orders.
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