Hurricane Helene's catastrophic flooding linked to climate change, says FEMA
Hurricane Helene, which has claimed nearly 100 lives across five states, has been worsened by global heating, according to the head of FEMA.
Edward Helmore reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- Hurricane Helene has caused extreme flooding and infrastructure damage, with at least 91 people dead and hundreds still unaccounted for in the southeastern U.S.
- Officials describe the storm as a "multi-state event" with deadly impacts stretching from Florida to North Carolina, where 29 inches of rain caused landslides and widespread destruction.
- FEMA and state leaders are coordinating search and rescue efforts, with President Biden pledging federal support for recovery.
Key quote:
“This storm took a while to develop, but once it did it intensified very rapidly – and that’s because of the warm waters in the Gulf.”
— Deanne Criswell, FEMA Administrator
Why this matters:
Warmer waters, driven by global heating, are supercharging storms like Helene, making them more destructive. Climate scientists have long warned that higher sea temperatures fuel stronger, wetter storms and yet we’re still playing catch-up with our disaster preparedness. As our climate shifts, so too will the ways we need to protect and rebuild our communities. Read more: Robbie Parks on why hurricanes are getting deadlier.
