Hurricane Helene has left widespread destruction across Florida and the southeastern United States, claiming at least 40 lives in four states according to The Washinton Post report. The powerful Category 4 storm, with winds of 225 km/h, made landfall in Florida’s rural Big Bend area. Homes were destroyed, trees snapped, and rescue teams were dispatched to save people from rising floodwaters.
In Georgia, many people remained trapped in buildings damaged by the storm. In Tennessee, 54 people were stranded on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital as floodwaters engulfed the facility. Meanwhile, North Carolina saw evacuations after a dam was overtopped by floodwaters, although it wasn’t in immediate danger of failing.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp reported widespread power outages and road blockages, with crews working tirelessly to clear debris. Hospitals in southern Georgia lost power, adding to the challenge. The hurricane’s damage has been made worse by climate change, which has led to more frequent and intense storms.
Amidst the devastation, stories of survival emerged. In Georgia, a woman expressed her relief after a massive tree smashed into her home, leaving her and her family shaken but alive. Rescue efforts were ongoing, but authorities warned that the death toll could rise as floodwaters receded and more homes were reached.
Millions of people were left without power across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Emergency teams have rescued hundreds, while others have been warned not to enter floodwaters that could contain dangerous debris and live electrical wires.
As Helene weakened to a tropical depression, the storm continued to cause flooding and raised concerns of mudslides in the Appalachian region. Some areas saw over a foot of rain, and road closures and evacuations continued throughout North Carolina.
Despite the storm’s weakening, the impact remains severe, with catastrophic damage to homes, infrastructure, and communities across the southeastern US. The road to recovery will be long, but rescue efforts continue as people come to terms with the destruction left in the hurricane’s wake.
