Hurricane Helene struck Florida as a category 4 hurricane, causing 200 deaths across the southeastern US, particularly in North Carolina, where flooding was catastrophic. Concurrently, Typhoon Krathon affected Taiwan, leading to fatalities and significant damage.
Hurricane Helene struck the Florida coastline as a powerful category 4 hurricane, reaching wind speeds of 140 miles per hour. This remarkable strength established it as the most severe hurricane recorded to hit the Florida Big Bend area. The storm proceeded northward through various states in the southeastern region of the United States, yielding extensive destruction and tragedy. Tragically, two hundred fatalities have been attributed to this hurricane, marking it as the deadliest storm to impact the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. As Hurricane Helene moved inland, it experienced rapid weakening, diminishing to a category 2 hurricane upon reaching Georgia on Friday morning, and eventually reducing to a tropical storm later that day. Regardless of its weakened state, the storm continued to deliver heavy rainfall and strong winds to Georgia and states further north, such as South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. North Carolina emerged as the most severely affected state, accounting for nearly half of the fatalities. The state was inundated with rain equivalent to three months’ worth, with three-day totals reaching 31 inches (775 millimeters) in Busick, situated in the North Carolina mountains. Asheville Airport recorded 14 inches (350 millimeters) of rain. Buncombe County experienced especially devastating impacts, with fifty confirmed deaths resulting from the worst flooding seen since 1916, as rivers reached historic high levels and thousands of homes were swept away. The western part of North Carolina experienced strong winds, too, with a recorded gust of 66 miles per hour at Charlotte Airport, marking the most powerful winds there since a thunderstorm microburst in August 2019. Winds exceeding 80 miles per hour were noted in other areas, leading to significant power outages across the southeastern U.S., leaving millions without electricity. In a separate incident, Typhoon Krathon made landfall in Taiwan on Thursday, delivering intense storm surges and formidable winds. Classified as a category 1 storm, Krathon impacted the city of Kaohsiung with gusts reaching 100 miles per hour. This caused considerable damage to structures, uprooting trees, and displacing shipping containers in the city’s port. Two fatalities have been confirmed, while several individuals remain unaccounted for due to landslides that destroyed numerous homes. The government had undertaken extensive precautionary measures in anticipation of Typhoon Krathon, exercising enhanced vigilance following the devastation caused by Typhoon Gaemi in July, which resulted in eleven fatalities. Consequently, hundreds of flights were canceled, and aviation operations were restricted on Wednesday and Thursday, while schools, workplaces, and marketplaces were ordered to close as a safety measure.
This article discusses the impact of Hurricane Helene, a category 4 hurricane, which tragically affected the southeastern United States after making landfall in Florida. It highlights the hurricane’s strength, the resultant fatalities, and the subsequent devastation experienced, particularly in North Carolina where flooding reached critical levels. It also draws attention to Typhoon Krathon in Taiwan, showcasing a global perspective on the destructive nature of severe storms and weather events.
In summary, Hurricane Helene has been a devastating event for the southeastern United States, particularly impacting North Carolina where it caused the most fatalities and flooding recorded in over a century. The subsequent weakening of the storm did not mitigate the damage, emphasizing the continuing threat posed by such weather events. Concurrently, Typhoon Krathon’s impact in Taiwan reveals a broader pattern of severe storms around the globe, necessitating ongoing vigilance and preparedness against natural disasters.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
