Florida, and the Carolinas obliterated by Hurricane Helene
Homes and boats were left devasted along the coast
Hurricane Helene struck the Southeastern United States as a Category 4 storm on Thursday, resulting in widespread devastation. The powerful hurricane caused the deaths of at least 40 people and left over 4.8 million homes without power across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
When Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, it brought intense winds of 225 kilometres per hour and storm surges up to 4.5 metres, severely impacting coastal communities.
As the storm weakened into a post-tropical cyclone, it continued inland, delivering high winds, heavy rainfall, and flash floods. The storm’s path caused catastrophic flooding in parts of the region, overwhelming infrastructure and flooding homes.
Hurricane Helene about make
landfall moving 24 miles per hour towards Tallahassee at a cat 4 possible cat 5 prayers to those in the Big Bend, Appalachia Bay areas and in the path we are still getting winds of 130-150 miles per hour.
Not much to slow this down until after… pic.twitter.com/oYUHmralie
— World life (@seautocure) September 27, 2024
Particularly hard-hit areas saw life-threatening floodwaters, and officials ordered mandatory evacuations near Lake Lure Dam in North Carolina, which was at risk of imminent failure. The National Weather Service urged residents to evacuate immediately for their safety.
Forecasters predict that Helene will continue moving northwest and will likely slow down over the Tennessee Valley, with ongoing flooding risks expected through Saturday. Authorities are working to assess the damage and continue search-and-rescue operations.
This is the latest in a series of devastating hurricanes to affect the Southeastern U.S., raising concerns over preparedness and resilience in future storms.
Residents of Florida returned home on Friday, faced with shock and sadness as they began to assess the damage left by Hurricane Helene.
Keaton Beach, situated north of Clearwater, was severely affected. Boats were tossed around and ended up stranded in flooded streets.
Fonda Neel, a resident of Keaton Beach, described her home as her happy place, now completely gone. “It’s devastating,” she expressed. “It’s hard to think.”
Further south, Cedar Key experienced a 3-metre storm surge that tore apart sections of the area. On Treasure Island, near St. Petersburg, the storm hurled boats over 180 metres, leaving them on a four-lane causeway.
Chimney Rock, North Carolina obliterated by flash flood from remnants of Hurricane Helene. 😮
Highway 9 Before and After pic.twitter.com/vLGIOh4xsz
— Michael Evon (@EvonDesign) September 28, 2024
In Perry, roughly an hour southeast of Tallahassee, the storm obliterated power transformers and tore roofs off houses.
Scott Bembry, a Perry resident, chose to stay in a church shelter during the storm, a decision he now regrets. He advised, “I wouldn’t recommend anyone to stick around for one of these storms. Evacuate when it’s time to evacuate.”
What Other Media Are Saying
- Sky News reported on Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic impact, leaving at least 43 dead and countless stranded. Emergency crews face immense challenges rescuing those trapped in flooded homes. (Read more)
- NBC Bay Area reports on Hurricane Helene, causing heavy damage and flooding in northern Florida before weakening to a tropical storm while moving north through Georgia. (Read more)
- ABC News referenced Hurricane Ian in 2022, as Florida’s Gulf Coast is still recovering, Hurricane Helene arrived to exacerbate the damages. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
How many people were killed by Hurricane Helene?
At least 40 people lost their lives due to Hurricane Helene.
Which area took a hard hit from Hurricane Helene?
Keaton Beach, north of Clearwater, took a very hard hit.
What were the storm’s wind speeds and storm surge levels?
Winds reached 225 km/h, and storm surges rose up to 4.5 metres.
Why were mandatory evacuations ordered near Lake Lure Dam?
The dam was at risk of imminent failure, prompting evacuations for safety.
What advice did Scott Bembry give about hurricanes?
He advised to evacuate when it’s time, based on his experience staying in a shelter.
