Hurricane Helene Leaves Devastation Across Southeastern U.S., Claiming 40 Lives
PERRY, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across Florida and the southeastern United States on Friday, resulting in at least 40 fatalities in four states. The powerful storm, classified as a Category 4 hurricane, struck late Thursday in Florida’s rural Big Bend region, known for its fishing villages and vacation spots, with maximum sustained winds reaching 140 mph (225 kph).
The hurricane caused extensive damage, snapping trees and tearing apart homes, prompting urgent rescue missions as floodwaters surged. In southern Georgia, hospitals were left without power, compelling officials to clear debris with chainsaws to open roads. Moody’s Analytics estimated property damages could range between $15 billion and $26 billion.
The destruction extended hundreds of miles north to northeast Tennessee, where a helicopter rescue operation was launched to evacuate 54 patients stranded on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital due to rising floodwaters. Fortunately, all individuals were rescued, and by late Friday afternoon, the facility was cleared of patients.
In North Carolina, the lake featured in the film “Dirty Dancing” overflowed its dam, leading to the evacuation of nearby neighborhoods, though officials reported no immediate threat of a dam failure. Additionally, Newport, Tennessee, saw evacuations due to concerns over a nearby dam, but it remained intact.
Tornadoes spawned by the storm struck several areas, including Nash County, North Carolina, where four people suffered critical injuries. Meanwhile, Atlanta set a new rainfall record, receiving 11.12 inches (28.24 cm) within 48 hours, the highest recorded since 1878.
Laurie Lilliott, a resident of Dekle Beach, Florida, expressed her shock upon returning home to find her roof collapsed and the structure severely damaged. The storm’s impact on the community was evident as authorities urged residents to evacuate, yet some stayed behind, leading to perilous situations where they had to hide in attics to escape rising waters.
“We tried to launch boats and use high-water vehicles, but we faced too many obstacles,” said Bob Gualtieri, sheriff in Pinellas County, highlighting the challenges rescue crews faced. The death toll may rise as crews conduct door-to-door searches in flooded neighborhoods.
Tragically, two firefighters in South Carolina lost their lives when a tree fell on their truck while responding to storm-related emergencies. Video footage from Perry, Florida, displayed sheets of rain and damage to buildings, while the hurricane stripped a newly replaced roof from a church that had been repaired after Hurricane Idalia last year.
Kera O’Neil, a resident in Hudson, Florida, described the urgency of evacuating as floodwaters rose to knee-level in her home. “If this water rises above the level of the stove, we are not going to have much room to breathe,” she recalled, as she and her sister navigated through chest-deep water with their pets.
President Joe Biden offered prayers for survivors, while FEMA dispatched over 1,500 workers to assist with rescue operations, successfully helping with 400 rescues by late Friday morning. In Tampa, some areas remained accessible only by boat due to severe flooding, with authorities warning against the dangers of floodwaters, which may contain hazardous debris and live wires.
As the storm continued inland, officials advised residents to remain vigilant and adhere to local emergency management directives. Nearly four million homes and businesses lost power across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. The damage to utility infrastructure was described as “catastrophic,” with hundreds of high-voltage transmission lines downed.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis noted that the devastation from Hurricane Helene appeared to surpass that of both Hurricane Idalia and Hurricane Debby, which struck the state in August.
Forecasters predicted continued heavy rainfall and flooding, particularly in North Carolina, where conditions could lead to flooding not seen in the past century. As of Friday, evacuations were underway, and approximately 300 roads were closed statewide.
Helene, the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, also caused significant flooding in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula and affected over 200,000 homes and businesses in western Cuba. With record-warm ocean temperatures expected to drive an above-average hurricane season, communities across the Southeast are bracing for the ongoing threat of severe weather.
South Florida Media Comments