84 dead after hurricane - 'biblical destruction'

The hurricane
"Biblical destruction" after the hurricane: Over 80 dead

TT-AP

Published 2024-09-29 07.37

People in the southeastern United States are struggling with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Photo: Gerald Herbert/AP/TT

At least 84 people have been confirmed dead in several states in the United States after the advance of Hurricane Helene, with massive flooding as a result.

American media reports of "biblical destruction" and "apocalyptic scenes".

Millions of people are without power. Over the weekend, US President Joe Biden called the hurricane's devastation "overwhelming" and promised to send aid.

Major flooding in the wake of the hurricane. Photo: Kathy Kmonicek/AP

With a large number of people in need of support, many of them without insurance, the civilian population is also pitching in. One of them is Janalea England from Steinhatchee, Florida, who has turned her fish market into a place where those in need can get help with supplies.

- I have never seen so many homeless people as now, she says.

The wind strength reached over 60 meters more second. Photo: Mike Stewart/AP

Hurricane Helene made landfall on the Florida coast late Thursday local time with winds of over 60 meters per second. The storm, which over the weekend moved into the state of Tennessee, has now turned into a post-tropical cyclone.

 

Photo: Mike Carlson/AP