Hurricane Helene made landfall in northwestern Florida as a Category 4 storm, causing widespread power outages and destructive flooding as it weakened to a tropical storm while moving through Georgia. At least four storm-related deaths occurred, prompting rescues of those trapped by floodwaters.
In Tampa Bay and surrounding areas, videos showed the impact of the storm, with homes flipped over, power outages, and first responders using boats to save trapped residents. The National Hurricane Center warned of a “nightmare” storm surge and urged caution due to dangerous floodwaters.
As Helene continued to move inland, it lost strength but still posed a threat of heavy rain, mudslides, and flash flooding in the Appalachian Mountains. With millions of customers without power in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas, governors declared emergencies to address the aftermath.
Before making landfall, Helene caused widespread damage and fatalities in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. One person was killed in Florida by a falling sign, two people died in a possible tornado in Georgia, and one person was killed in North Carolina by a falling tree. Extensive preparations and evacuations were made, with school closures, airport shutdowns, and curfews in place.
Helene, the third storm to strike Valdosta in a year, brought hurricane and flash flood warnings extending into northern Georgia and western North Carolina. The storm’s wrath was felt before landfall, with damaging winds and flooding along Florida’s west coast. The storm, expected to weaken further as it moved north, is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season.
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