Last updated on October 10th, 2024 at 01:23 pm
Hurricane Helene left miles of destruction in its wake in the southeast United States, killing at least 43 people and knocking out the power for millions of people. Weakened to a dangerous but tropical force storm, the storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend region, one of the most powerful storms to ever strike the state. It is the third largest storm to strike the U.S., measuring 420 miles wide-thereby ranking third behind only Hurricane Ida (2017) and Opal (1996).
The storm has been totally devastating due to its flooding around Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas as roads and homes have been severely flooded. In Florida, at least eight people are confirmed dead, with five reported in Pinellas County, where St. Petersburg is located. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed fatalities, including one person killed by a falling road sign and another by a tree crashing into their home.
Helene moves northward into Georgia,
Leaving behind 15 more dead, including a first responder. Two people were killed when a suspected tornado overturned a mobile home in Wheeler County. Governor Brian Kemp mobilized 1,000 National Guard troops to assist in rescue efforts statewide, where more than 150 roads have been closed and 1,300 traffic signals out of service.
As a result of the storm,
South Carolina has confirmed 17 deaths while North Carolina has faced two fatalities. The storm also caused several confirmed tornadoes in North Carolina, which damaged buildings monumentally and left some people injured. The state of Virginia also confirmed its one death resulting from the storm.
Rescue operations have been carried out on a full scale with first responders using helicopters, boats, and giant vehicles to reach the survivors. In Tennessee, 58 patients and staff members were rescued from the rooftop of a hospital, where they were trapped by the floodwaters. In Florida, 65 people were saved from the flooded houses in Pasco County, and hotel guests staying in Manatee County were also evacuated from the floodwater that was rising in their area.
The waters have receded just a little,
But forecasters are still warning of strong winds, flooding and the possibility of tornadoes. Areas can get as much as 20 inches of rain, with authorities urging people to stay on their guard. The National Hurricane Center has reported storm surges of up to 15 feet in parts of Florida, which may prove to be worse before they go over the weekend.
The sheer size of Helene has already brought destruction over hundreds of square miles, knocking off lights to over 3 million homes and businesses. And with warm waters of the Gulf playing havoc with the strength of the storm, forecasters are saying that this hurricane season-which lasts until November 30-might yet have storms to spare. So far, Helene is the most powerful storm of the year but NOAA had predicted up to 25 named storms for 2024, and many might go on to become hurricanes in the coming weeks.
Citizens are urged to be vigilant to the warnings of the local authorities for further damage and ruin will result from Hurricane Helene, mainly damaging the affected areas with floods, tornadoes, and landslides.
