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- Flooded streets, destroyed homes: Tropical Storm “Sally” has caused considerable damage on the US Gulf Coast.
- At least one person died in the coastal city of Orange Beach and another missing.
- In the states of Alabama and Florida, about half a million homes and businesses were cut off.
- Authorities already describe this hurricane season as exceptional.
Sally made landfall as a Category 2 storm in Alabama. It caused serious damage there and in the neighboring state of Florida.
SRF
“There are boats everywhere: in the streets, in front of the stores, in the backyards. In a way, it’s weird, ”the mayor of the coastal city of Orange Beach told AL.com. The storm carried them from the port to the city. Numerous houses were also damaged by fallen trees.
The location on the Gulf Coast was particularly hit by the storm. Nearby, in Gulf Shores, “Sally” made landfall Wednesday morning with winds of up to 165 kilometers per hour as a level two hurricane in five.
After “Sally” made landfall, the hurricane had weakened into a tropical cyclone. But since it is moving slowly, most recently at about 15 kilometers per hour, it brings heavy rain to affected regions and caused severe flooding in Alabama and Florida.
Cars got stuck in the floods
In Pensacola, Florida, the water was almost a meter high in the streets. “In four hours, as much rain fell as it used to fall in four months,” the fire chief told CNN. “One of our biggest problems was the cars that got stuck in the floods,” the mayor told ABC. He asked people to stay home.
Hundreds of people were taken to safety in the flooded area. Accommodation in emergency shelters is difficult. Authorities say capabilities are limited due to the corona pandemic.
Experts expect the storm to move in a northeast direction. This should also affect parts of Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia. Flood warnings have been issued for the affected areas.
