Hurricane Helene has left a trail of devastation across the southeastern United States, claiming at least 40 lives in four states, with rescuers racing to free those still trapped in the aftermath.
The Category 4 storm, which had maximum winds of 140 mph (225 kph) at landfall in Florida, tore through homes, snapped trees, and caused severe flooding across hundreds of miles.
In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp confirmed many people remained trapped in damaged buildings, while hospitals in the southern part of the state were left without power..
An American flag sits in the floodwaters from Hurricane Helene in the Shore Acres neighborhood Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Rescue teams, armed with chainsaws, are working to clear roads and reach those in need. “We’re having a hard time getting to places,” Kemp said during a press briefing.
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region on Thursday, has sparked catastrophic flooding as far north as Tennessee, where 54 people were evacuated from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital. North Carolina also experienced severe flooding, forcing evacuations from areas near a dam that overtopped.
Workers clear debris in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, in Cedar Key, Fla., Friday, Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Climate change has been cited as a factor exacerbating the severity of hurricanes like Helene, allowing storms to intensify rapidly in warmer waters.
Helene’s path of destruction mirrors last year’s Hurricane Idalia and comes amid concerns over the increasing frequency and strength of such storms.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis described the damage as “greater than the combined impact of Idalia and Debby,” while President Joe Biden sent prayers to those affected and dispatched federal emergency teams.
Residents are rescued from floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Friday, Sept. 27, 2024 in Crystal River, Fla. (Luis Santana/Tampa Bay Times via AP)
More than 4 million homes and businesses were without power across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina.
In Valdosta, Georgia, Rhonda Bell recounted how a giant oak tree smashed through her home, saying, “Thank God we’re both alive to tell about it”, as reported by AP.
Emergency crews have been going door-to-door in Florida’s Pinellas County, where five people died after ignoring evacuation orders. Sheriff Bob Gualtieri warned that the death toll could rise as search efforts continue.
An unidentified man paddles a canoe to rescue residents and their belongings at a flooded apartment complex after Hurricane Helene passed the area on Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Ron Harris)
Forecasters issued dire warnings of catastrophic flooding in North Carolina, potentially surpassing records set over the past century. Evacuations were underway in multiple areas on Friday, with approximately 300 roads closed due to rising waters.
The Connecticut Army National Guard deployed a helicopter to assist in relief efforts. Residents were left reeling, with Spencer Tate Andrews of Asheville, North Carolina, expressing shock: “It’s terrible. I don’t know if I’ll ever see anything like this again,” as reported by the Associated Press.
An vehicle, golf cart and playhouse are submerged from flooding Friday, Sept 27, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)
Hurricane Helene left a trail of destruction in its wake, forcing school districts and universities to cancel classes as it made landfall in Florida .The storm’s impact was felt far and wide, with airports in Tampa, Tallahassee, and Clearwater shutting down, although they were expected to reopen on Friday . Inspectors were quick to assess damage to bridges and causeways along the Gulf Coast, working to restore access to affected areas as soon as possible.
Before hitting the US, Helene had already brought devastation to parts of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, flooding streets and toppling trees in the resort city of Cancun . The storm also knocked out power to over 200,000 homes and businesses in western Cuba.
(with inputs from AP)
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