Tropical Storm Helene Leaves Trail of Death and Destruction in North Carolina
Tropical Storm Helene has devastated North Carolina, causing two tragic deaths and widespread destruction. The storm, at almost 700 miles across, has brought life-threatening flash flooding, landslides, and downed trees, leaving over 879,000 estimated power outages and over 290 closed roads in its wake. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declared this storm as one of the worst in modern history for the state.
Emergency Management Director Will Ray stated that dangerous conditions continue to persist as rivers overflow and roads are flooded. The North Carolina National Guard has deployed resources to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. There have been evacuations in several areas due to dam failures and imminent flooding.
The storm, which originated as Hurricane Helene and made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, has caused 22 deaths across multiple states. North Carolina faces ongoing challenges with degraded cell service and significant infrastructure impacts. Emergency shelters have been opened, and rescue teams are working tirelessly to assist those affected by the storm.
Residents are urged to take all warnings seriously and have an evacuation plan in place if necessary. The North Carolina Office of EMS is assisting with medical support, and additional resources are being deployed to help with communication challenges.
As the state grapples with the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene, it is a reminder of the devastating impact extreme weather events can have on communities. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but state officials are working diligently to provide support and assistance to those affected by the storm.
Source
Photo credit www.carolinajournal.com