Damage to homes and businesses after Hurricane Helene hit the area on September 27, 2024 in Steinhatchee, Florida. © GREG LOVETT/THE PALM BEACH POST / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(Tallahassee, Florida) – Hurricane Helene has claimed at least 22 lives and left millions without power across the Southeast as it weakened while moving north on Friday. Making landfall as a Category 4 storm near Florida’s Big Bend region, Helene caused extensive damage with flooding, high winds, and heavy rain. This area experienced its strongest storm to date, with some water levels exceeding 15 feet.
In Clearwater, Florida, emergency crews rescued elderly residents from knee-deep floodwaters, while officials reported multiple homes lost to fire. The storm caused at least 11 fatalities in Georgia, including a first responder, with additional deaths reported in Florida and North Carolina due to storm-related incidents.
Power outages affected over 4.3 million people in the Southeast, with utility companies working to restore service. Florida Power & Light reported that they had restored power to 460,000 customers by Friday morning, but restoration times for the remaining outages are still uncertain.
Now downgraded to a tropical storm, Helene is expected to bring further severe weather, including damaging winds and potential tornadoes across the eastern Carolinas and southern Virginia. President Biden has approved emergency declarations for several states, enabling FEMA to assist recovery efforts.
