Source – timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Hurricane Helene made landfall on Thursday night along Florida’s Big Bend coast as a powerful Category 4 storm, unleashing destructive winds of up to 140 mph and life-threatening storm surges. The storm caused widespread power outages, with over a million Floridians left without electricity. Georgia also saw more than 50,000 power outages, as the massive storm began affecting areas well beyond the Florida coast.
Flooding was reported along much of Florida’s coastline, including cities from Fort Myers to Clearwater, where record-breaking storm surges were recorded. Surge levels reached as high as 20 feet in some areas, overwhelming the Tampa region. In anticipation of the storm’s arrival, officials issued urgent warnings, advising residents to evacuate and not underestimate the storm’s destructive potential. A state of emergency was declared not only in Florida but also in neighboring states, including Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Widespread Damage and Loss of Life
The National Hurricane Center reported that Hurricane Helene made landfall near the mouth of the Aucilla River in northwestern Florida around 11:10 p.m. EDT. This location was eerily close to where Hurricane Idalia hit last year with similar intensity, causing widespread damage. Helene’s impact, however, has proven to be far-reaching, with hurricane and flash flood warnings extending deep into northern Georgia and western North Carolina.
As the storm battered the region, tragic incidents unfolded. One person was killed in Florida when a sign fell on their car, and two individuals lost their lives in Georgia when a possible tornado struck a mobile home. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, addressing the state on Thursday night, expressed concern over further loss of life and property damage. “When Floridians wake up tomorrow morning, we’re going to be waking up to a state where very likely there’s been additional loss of life and certainly there’s going to be loss of property,” he said.
The National Weather Service in Tallahassee had issued an “extreme wind warning” as Helene’s eyewall approached the Big Bend region, advising residents to take shelter immediately. Even before the storm made landfall, its effects were already being felt along Florida’s west coast. Areas like Siesta Key near Sarasota saw water covering roads, and intersections in St. Pete Beach were flooded. The storm’s force also sent debris, including lumber from a recent fire in Cedar Key, crashing ashore as the waters rose.
Far-Reaching Impacts of Hurricane Helene
Helene’s influence extended far beyond Florida. Heavy rainfall lashed northern Georgia and western North Carolina, with the National Weather Service warning of up to 14 inches of rain, potentially setting the stage for historic flooding in the region. The Appalachian Mountains faced the risk of flash flooding as heavy rains continued.
Valdosta, Georgia, experienced the onset of strong winds and heavy rainfall on Thursday. More than a dozen counties in the state were forecast to face hurricane-force winds, exceeding 110 mph. A series of tornado warnings, including one for Wheeler County, Georgia, heightened the danger. In south Georgia, two fatalities were reported in Wheeler County due to a possible tornado strike on a mobile home, while heavy thunderstorms wreaked havoc across much of the state.
As Hurricane Helene continues to move inland, the southeastern U.S. braces for more destruction from heavy rains, flash floods, and high winds, with the storm expected to leave a trail of damage in its wake for days to come.
