Warning About the Effects of Dangerous Storm 'Helene' in the U.S. and Gulf of Mexico

The National Hurricane Center of the United States has warned about the ongoing movement of the very dangerous storm 'Helene', which reached the state of Florida on Thursday, and the widespread destruction it could cause. It is expected to be one of the largest storms in the Gulf of Mexico. According to the mentioned center, Storm Helene reached the shores of Florida with winds of 175 kilometers per hour, and then on Friday it was downgraded from a Category 4 to a Category 2 storm. Nevertheless, the National Weather Service of the United States still describes it as a 'powerful' storm. Following the occurrence of this storm, over one million people were without electricity in Florida yesterday. According to Agence France-Presse, the airports in the two cities of Tampa and Tallahassee in Florida are currently closed, and other cities on the west coast of Florida are flooded. Mike Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, described the likelihood of survival for those exposed to this storm as low, stating that the waves accompanying Helene could destroy homes, move cars, and rapidly raise water levels. Joe Biden, the President of the United States, has urged people to heed official evacuation warnings. Currently, warnings have been issued for residents in 12 states in the U.S. The death toll from Typhoon 'Yagi' in Vietnam has exceeded 150. The National Weather Service announced that this area may be severely affected, as there has not been flooding in the coastal region of Florida for over a century. This organization warned: 'This will be one of the most significant weather events to occur in the western region in modern times.' Over 55 million Americans are affected by Helene, and this storm could become the strongest storm to hit the United States in over a year. Scientists say climate change is likely playing a role in the rapid intensification of storms. In recent months, several storms around the world have claimed many lives. For instance, in mid-September of this year, Vietnam's state media reported that due to heavy rainfall, severe flooding, and landslides caused by Typhoon 'Yagi', at least 150 people lost their lives, and 140 others went missing. 'Yagi' is the most severe typhoon to hit Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia in recent decades, with wind speeds reaching about 150 kilometers per hour during the storm. The occurrence of severe and deadly storms in the summer in Southeast Asia is not unprecedented. However, researchers state that climate change and global warming have led to an increase in the number and intensity of deadly storms.