Hurricane Helene has claimed 52 lives and left millions of residents without power as it ripped through the southeastern United States. The Category 4 storm made landfall in Florida with 140 mph winds, leaving behind a path of destruction as it moved through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee. The storm’s intense winds and flooding have overwhelmed emergency services, leaving many communities in crisis.
Florida’s Big Bend region bore the brunt of Helene’s fury. The storm’s high winds and massive storm surge flooded homes, uprooted trees, and caused widespread power outages. In Pinellas County, five deaths were reported as residents who did not evacuate were forced to seek refuge in their attics. Areas like Davis Islands saw unprecedented flooding, leaving many stunned by the storm’s strength.
In Georgia, three firefighters tragically lost their lives as trees fell on their vehicles while they responded to storm emergencies. Several towns experienced heavy flooding, with entire neighborhoods submerged. The damage to the power grid was severe, and utility companies warned it could take days before electricity was fully restored to millions of residents.
North Carolina was hit hard by mudslides and flash flooding. Asheville, known for its scenic beauty, found itself underwater, with landslides cutting off entire communities. Four people were critically injured by a tornado in Nash County, and emergency services remained on high alert as the storm continued to pose a flooding risk. Western North Carolina saw roads closed and residents stranded without power.
South Carolina’s power grid was heavily impacted, with more than 40% of the state losing electricity during the storm. Fallen trees blocked roads, and crews struggled to reach affected areas to assess the damage. Two firefighters were killed when their vehicles were struck by falling trees, further highlighting the dangers first responders faced during the storm.
In Tennessee, floodwaters rose quickly, forcing the evacuation of a hospital in Unicoi County. Helicopters were used to rescue patients and staff from the roof as water levels continued to climb. Roads were washed out by landslides, leaving some communities isolated. The state remained on high alert as the storm slowly moved through, threatening additional flooding.
