Hurricane Helene unleashed devastating destruction across the Southeast on Friday after making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm. The hurricane, one of the most powerful storms to hit the Gulf Coast in recent years, was downgraded to a tropical depression by Friday afternoon. However, the storm had already caused catastrophic flooding and claimed the lives of more than 30 people across several states, leaving communities grappling with widespread damage and loss.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) described the flooding brought by Helene as “historic” and “catastrophic,” with several regions enduring heavy rainfall and surging floodwaters that overwhelmed rivers, streets, and infrastructure. In Tennessee, the rising floodwaters forced 54 patients and staff at Unicoi County Hospital to evacuate to the roof as the facility was engulfed by dangerous, fast-moving water. The hospital’s staff called for urgent rescue, with local authorities coordinating emergency efforts to safely evacuate everyone from the rooftop.
In Georgia, the storm claimed the lives of 15 people, with one of the fatalities being a first responder who was assisting in storm recovery efforts. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp confirmed the tragic toll, noting that many of the fatalities occurred as a result of flooding and fallen debris caused by the storm’s fierce winds. In Florida, at least five people were killed, including a resident in Tampa who died when a traffic sign fell onto a vehicle. Tampa police also reported the discovery of an elderly woman who had drowned after floodwaters entered her home. In Dixie County, another fatality was reported when a tree collapsed onto a house during the height of the storm.
The devastation spread to North and South Carolina, where officials reported multiple deaths linked to Helene’s path. In North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper confirmed that two people had died. One victim was involved in a collision on a flooded road, while another person lost their life when a tree crashed onto a house in Mecklenburg County. Emergency responders managed to rescue another individual from the same home, though that person remains in critical condition. South Carolina also suffered tragic losses, with the Aiken County Sheriff’s Office confirming four deaths, including two firefighters in Saluda County who were responding to storm-related incidents. The storm’s powerful winds also caused trees to fall onto homes in Newberry and Anderson Counties, resulting in additional fatalities.
As of Friday afternoon, Helene’s remnants were located approximately 125 miles south-southeast of Louisville, Kentucky, with the storm continuing to move north-northwest at a brisk 28 mph. Although it had weakened significantly, Helene still packed sustained winds of 35 mph and continued to dump rain on already saturated regions, worsening flood conditions in some areas.
Helene made landfall late Thursday night, hitting just 10 miles west of Perry, Florida, with sustained winds of 140 mph. The storm barreled through the Big Bend region, an area still recovering from the impact of two previous hurricanes in the last 13 months. In 2023, Hurricane Idalia, also a Category 4 storm, had caused significant storm surge damage along the Florida Gulf Coast, including in the Big Bend region. Just last August, Hurricane Debby had also wreaked havoc in the same area. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis remarked that early reports indicated that the damage from Helene had exceeded that of both Idalia and Debby combined.
Daylight on Friday revealed scenes of utter destruction along Florida’s Gulf Coast. In Tallahassee, a massive tree had collapsed onto an apartment building, while boats were found washed into front yards in Treasure Island. Over four million customers across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia were left without power as the storm’s winds and flooding knocked out electrical grids. Utility companies scrambled to restore power, though officials warned that it could take days or even weeks for full restoration in the hardest-hit areas.
Emergency crews worked tirelessly through the night, conducting thousands of rescue missions. In Atlanta, firefighters rescued a couple, their baby, and two dogs after their car was swept away by floodwaters and floated off the road. Atlanta Fire Rescue Captain Scott Seely reported that the family had managed to escape to the roof of their vehicle, where rescuers found them.
Several airports in the region were forced to close, and airlines canceled nearly 1,300 flights on Thursday alone. By Friday morning, nearly 800 more U.S. flights had already been canceled as the storm’s impacts continued to disrupt air travel. Flooding also shut down major highways, leaving some areas completely cut off. In Florida’s capital city, Tallahassee, many gas stations were closed or out of fuel, compounding the challenges for residents seeking shelter and emergency supplies.
One woman, Annie Sloan, told CBS News that she had sought shelter in a Tallahassee school after deciding that it was safer than staying home. “My son came to take me to Georgia, but then we realized the hurricane was going to Georgia, too. So, I decided to come here because I didn’t want to be alone after my husband passed,” Sloan said.
NASA shared dramatic footage of Hurricane Helene from the International Space Station, showcasing the immense size and power of the storm as it churned through the Gulf of Mexico. Meteorologists pointed out that Helene was the fourth hurricane to make landfall on the Gulf Coast this year, a rare occurrence that has only happened five times in recorded history.
Helene’s intensity was fueled by exceptionally warm Gulf waters, which experts believe contributed to the rapid intensification of the storm. Brian McNoldy, a senior research associate at the University of Miami, noted that ocean heat content in the Gulf of Mexico had reached record highs this year, which acted like “jet fuel” for the hurricane. Sea surface temperatures along Helene’s path were measured at 89 degrees Fahrenheit—several degrees above normal for this time of year. Climate experts have warned that rising global temperatures due to climate change are making such intense storms more frequent and destructive.
Earlier in the week, President Biden and Governor DeSantis declared states of emergency for Florida in anticipation of Helene’s impact, and evacuation orders were issued in multiple counties. Similar emergency declarations were made in Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, with some extending as far north as Virginia. Schools, universities, and public offices across the region closed, with some remaining shuttered through the weekend as the recovery process began.
As the Southeast begins to assess the full scope of the damage left by Hurricane Helene, emergency responders and officials continue to work around the clock to rescue those stranded and restore essential services. With entire neighborhoods submerged and widespread power outages, it may take weeks, if not longer, for some communities to fully recover from the devastating impacts of the storm.
