Tropical Storm Helene/ Hurricane Helene power outages/ Helene causes flooding/ Newslooks/ CRAWFORDVILLE/ FLORIDA/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Florida, leaving millions without power across several southern states. The storm brought devastating winds, flooding, and storm surges, with at least six deaths reported. Emergency crews are conducting rescues as floodwaters rise, and power outages span from Florida to North Carolina. The hurricane has weakened but continues to bring heavy rains and risks of mudslides across the Appalachian Mountains. The Georgia governor says at least 11 people in his state have been killed and dozens are still trapped in homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. Gov. Brian Kemp made the statement Friday at a news conference. He said authorities believe there are 115 structures with people trapped inside.
Helene Hits the South with Wind and Rain: Quick Looks
- Category 4 landfall: Helene made landfall in Florida with 140 mph winds, causing massive damage.
- Widespread power outages: Over 4 million customers are without power across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
- Six deaths: Storm-related fatalities have been reported across several states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
- Flooding concerns: Rescue operations are underway as floodwaters rise, with threats of more rain and mudslides in the Appalachians.
- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced Friday that at least 11 people in Georgia have been killed due to Hurricane Helene, with dozens still trapped in damaged homes.
- Kemp stated that authorities believe 115 structures in the state have people trapped inside, with rescue efforts underway.
- Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend area, a region known for its fishing villages and vacation hideaways, where the Panhandle and peninsula converge.
Hurricane Helene: Catastrophic Flooding, Power Outages Across Florida, Georgia
Deep Look
Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc as it tore through the southern United States, making landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm late Thursday. The storm, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph), brought widespread destruction to areas stretching from Florida to North Carolina, leaving millions without power and at least six people dead.
Landfall and Immediate Impact
The storm’s eye hit near the mouth of the Aucilla River, in Florida’s Big Bend area, a largely rural region where Florida’s Panhandle meets its peninsula. Helene’s strength and the storm surge it generated caused catastrophic flooding and left communities devastated.
In the hours after landfall, emergency crews scrambled to rescue people trapped in flooded homes. Videos posted online showed sheets of rain, overturned homes, and debris-laden floodwaters across communities like Perry, Florida. The storm’s impact extended well beyond the coast. Southern Georgia was heavily hit, with multiple hospitals losing power, and areas as far away as North Carolina experienced flooding. A dam near Lake Lure, a site made famous by the movie “Dirty Dancing,” overtopped, adding to the dangers.
“Thank God we’re both alive to tell about it,” said Rhonda Bell, a resident of Valdosta, Georgia, after an oak tree smashed through her roof. Stories like hers were common across the region as the storm left millions of homes and businesses without power and caused extensive damage to infrastructure.
Storm Surge and Flooding
One of the most severe impacts was the storm surge, which flooded homes and left many people stranded. In Citrus County, Florida, emergency officials launched boats to reach those trapped, issuing warnings about the dangers of trying to navigate floodwaters on foot, which may contain live wires, sewage, and debris. In Tampa, similar rescue efforts were underway.
Residents who chose to remain behind despite evacuation orders faced terrifying conditions. In Taylor County, Florida, local authorities even advised residents who stayed to write their names and birthdays on their arms with permanent markers, a grim precaution in case they didn’t survive the storm.
By Friday morning, more than 4 million customers across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina were without power, according to poweroutage.us, which tracks utility outages.
Deaths and Devastation
At least six people have been reported dead due to the storm. In Florida, one person was killed when a sign fell on their car. In Georgia, a suspected tornado killed two people, while downed trees killed residents in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Anderson County, South Carolina.
Georgia governor: At least 11 people are dead in his state after Hurricane Helene
The Georgia governor says at least 11 people in his state have been killed and dozens are still trapped in homes damaged by Hurricane Helene. Gov. Brian Kemp made the statement Friday at a news conference. He said authorities believe there are 115 structures with people trapped inside.
The storm made landfall late Thursday in Florida’s sparsely populated Big Bend area, which is home to fishing villages and vacation hideaways. It’s where the Panhandle and peninsula meet.
Helene Weakens, but Danger Remains
By late morning Friday, Helene had weakened to a tropical storm, with winds dropping to 70 mph (110 kph). The storm continued moving inland, with the National Hurricane Center reporting that Helene was about 105 miles (165 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta, moving north at 32 mph (52 kph).
While its winds have weakened, Helene is still expected to bring heavy rainfall and dangerous conditions as it moves through Tennessee, Kentucky, and into the Appalachian Mountains, where forecasters warn of potential mudslides and flash flooding. Areas in North Carolina have already seen up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain, with an additional 14 inches (36 centimeters) possible.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warned that the combination of heavy rain and saturated soil could lead to one of the worst flooding events in recent memory, potentially exceeding anything seen in the past century.
Emergency Response and Warnings
Emergency response has been swift but challenging. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the damage from Helene as worse than that caused by both Hurricanes Idalia and Debby, which struck Florida the previous year. President Joe Biden expressed his support for those affected, while FEMA deployed over 1,500 workers to assist with recovery efforts and had helped conduct more than 400 rescues by late Friday morning.
County officials across the affected states issued curfews, while schools and universities were closed and airports across Florida canceled flights, including major hubs like Tampa, Tallahassee, and Clearwater.
Global Impact and Further Threats
Helene’s reach extended far beyond the U.S. Before making landfall, the storm passed over Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, flooding streets and uprooting trees in Cancun. In Cuba, more than 200,000 homes and businesses lost power as the storm brushed past the island.
Forecasters had feared that Helene’s effects would extend 100 miles north of the Georgia-Florida line, with possible hurricane conditions across a wide swath of land. Overnight curfews were imposed across much of South Georgia, with local officials urging residents to stay indoors.
Atlantic Hurricane Season and the Road Ahead
Helene is the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30. NOAA has predicted an above-average season, with warmer ocean temperatures contributing to the strength and frequency of storms like Helene. The devastation caused by this storm is a stark reminder of the increasingly powerful hurricanes threatening coastal and inland communities alike.
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