Washington, United States (AFP) – Climate change intensified the rains and winds of Hurricane Helene by around 10 percent, according to a study published Wednesday, after the September storm killed more than 230 people in the southeast United States.

The study by the World Weather Attribution group (WWA) also showed that fossil fuels — which are primarily responsible for global warming — made a hurricane like Helene 2.5 times more likely.

la/bjt/md

© Agence France-Presse

Featured image: True color imagery of Tropical Storm Helene on Sept. 24, 2024 Credit: NASA/NOAA | Suomi NPP satellite

Image: Infographic - Percentage of monitoring stations in 2024 achieving air quality EU standards/guideline levels
Air quality improving in Europe but more effort needed: reportNews

Air quality improving in Europe but more effort needed: report

Copenhagen, Denmark | AFP Air quality in Europe is improving but more effort is needed to reach the European Union's 2030 targets, the European Environment Agency…
SourceSourceApril 30, 2026 Full article
3D globe graphic (s. climate, flood, water)
Storm cuts electricity to 380,000 France households: power companyNews

Storm cuts electricity to 380,000 France households: power company

Rennes, France | AFP Around 380,000 households in France were without power on Friday morning as Storm Goretti swept through northern Europe with fierce winds. The…
SourceSourceJanuary 9, 2026 Full article
Image: Buck's horn plantain (Plantago coronopus)
Combined effects of plastic pollution and seawater flooding amplify threats to coastal plant speciesScience

Combined effects of plastic pollution and seawater flooding amplify threats to coastal plant species

Two of the planet’s more pressing environmental stressors have the potential to alter the growth and reproductive output of plants found right along the world’s…
SourceSourceAugust 2, 2024 Full article