Many Florida residents face a “long-term catastrophic recovery” as a result of Hurricane Helene, with many homes likely to “no longer be a viable living place”, a Florida charity executive has said.
Thomas Mantz, president and chief executive of Feeding Tampa Bay, says the full impact won’t be revealed for “some time” with several hours to go until dawn breaks in the US.
He explained that flood waters were a bigger issue than wind and rain, with Helene likely to have caused water to rise “two to three feet” above normal levels in the affected areas.
“The saying here is you hide from wind and you run from water, and water is going to be a substantial issue all the way through the west coast of the state of Florida.”
Mr Mantz said there will be a “long-term impact” from the “momentary damage of the storm”.
“There will be long term catastrophic recovery for many, many folks that have to make their way back from their homes being flooded out.
“Virtually all of the homes that have been impacted by water will… no longer be a viable living place,” he said.
Mr Mantz said he doesn’t know “how much longer a state like Florida can continue to manage the damage that occurs” from storms like Helene.