At least five people have died in the wake of Helene making landfall in Florida as a devastating Category 4 hurricane, bringing “unsurvivable” conditions.
Helene hit Florida’s Big Bend region just after 11pm ET on Thursday packing winds of around 140 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. Wind speeds continued to fall across Friday morning, with Helene being downgraded to a tropical storm as it continues to plough through Georgia.
Since making landfall, the storm has caused “record” flooding across the Gulf Coast, leaving approximately 2.1 million homes and businesses across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas under blackout conditions on Friday. Apart from Florida, Alabama, and parts of the Carolinas are also at risk of flooding.
The storm was responsible for the deaths of at least five people in Florida and Georgia on Thursday and Friday. Governor Ron DeSantis said at a person was killed after a sign fell onto their car in Tampa. In Georgia’s Wheeler County, a man and a woman were reported to have died following a suspected tornado. In Laurens County, two other deaths were announced on Friday.
Helene’s size is massive compared to previous hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and is one of the largest storms in breadth to hit the region in years, with only three bigger since 1988.
Child and dog rescued from flood water as ‘unsurvivable’ Hurricane Helene devastates Florida
Child and dog rescued from flood water as Hurricane Helene devastates Florida
This is the moment a child and dog are rescued from flood water as “unsurvivable” Hurricane Helene devastates Florida. Officers in Hillsborough County were able to pull the child and the dog from the floodwaters and bring them to safety on Thursday (26 September). At least three people have died as Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday evening, bringing “catastrophic” conditions. Helene hit Florida’s Big Bend region just after 11pm ET packing sustained winds of around 140 mph.
James Liddell27 September 2024 13:55
Pasco Sheriff says it assisted with 200 water rescues
Pasco Sheriff’s Office says water is receding and rescue calls have slowed Friday morning following Helene’s massive impact. The office assisted with 200 water rescues.
Julia Musto27 September 2024 13:51
Carolinas see impacts from Helene as storm shifts north
As Helene heads through the Carolinas, impacts are shown in social media videos from Asheville and Greenville.
Julia Musto27 September 2024 13:43
Body cam footage from Florida’s Lee County shows Fort Myers Beach man’s rescue
Julia Musto27 September 2024 13:39
Tampa Fire Rescue crews fight residential fire, working in floodwaters
The City of Tampa Fire Rescue crews worked amid flooding from Hurricane Helene to fight a fire at a large residential structure in South Tampa.
There were no reported injuries in the blaze and its cause remains under investigation.
Julia Musto27 September 2024 13:38
Watch: Roads become rivers after Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida
James Liddell27 September 2024 13:35
Cars trek across Tampa bridge as its pummelled by huge waves and 130mph winds
Cars drive across Tampa bridge as huge waves from Hurricane Helena crash onto road
Cars were seen driving across the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa Bay on Thursday 26 September, as Hurricane Helene waves lashed the roadway. Helene roared ashore Florida’s Big Bend region as one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States, with officials fearing the storm would leave a trail of deaths and widespread destruction as it moved inland. At least one fatality is blamed on the hurricane so far, authorities said, as the Category 4 storm made landfall around 11:10pm Eastern time. Even before its arrival, the storm had caused power outages for over 1 million people and severe flooding in several areas.
James Liddell27 September 2024 13:15
Airports closed and hundreds of flights cancelled potentially leaving holidaymakers stranded
Airports remain closed and hundreds of flights have been cancelled across the southeastern US as “life-threatening” Hurricane Helene moves north across Florida and into Georgia.
At 8am UK time (3am Eastern Daylight Time), the National Hurricane Center said: “Helene continues to produce hurricane force winds that are moving further into Georgia.
“This is an dangerous and life-threatening situation. Persons should not leave their shelters and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions.”
The Independent’s travel expert Simon Calder has the full story.
James Liddell27 September 2024 12:55
Georgia Governor gives update in wake of Helene making landfall
James Liddell27 September 2024 12:37