Satellite messaging 'literally saving lives' after Hurricane Helene deluge

If you haven't been hiding out in a cave since last week, the Category 4 Hurricane Helene has tore apart the entire southeastern US, with storm surges at 20 feet in some Florida coast spots and a double North Carolina deluge which flooded much of western NC (North Carolina was subject to a pre-hurricane deluge along with the deluge that came with the hurricane itself, something often caused by especially strong hurricanes like Hurricane Helene). Focusing on North Carolina, the pre-hurricane deluge already caused mudslides and brought dams almost up to their top, so the second deluge, along with more mudslides, caused the dams to break and the reservoirs to flood much of the western part of the state. Even several days later, some locals are still subject to shelter-in-place with flooded roads and the loss of power and cell service.

Those who have their iPhones 14 and over updated to iOS 18, however, had satellite messaging, which helped them not just communicate to friends but also get help (Matt Van Swol the photographer said that the chances are a flip of a coin for it to work, but it's "better than nothing"). Speaking about Hurricane Helene and Apple, Tim Cook has tweeted that "Apple will be making a donation to help with relief efforts on the ground."

By Leo