Tropical Depression Helene has caused widespread devastation across the southeastern regions of the US, resulting in at least 43 deaths and leaving over 3.5 million homes and businesses without power, Reuters reports.
Helene, initially a Category 4 hurricane with 140 mph winds, made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region before moving north through Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. The storm left behind extensive damage, including overturned boats, flooded streets, submerged cars, and triggered mudslides. Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina have all reported storm-related deaths, with at least 19 fatalities in South Carolina.
Helene has since been downgraded to a tropical depression with winds of 35 mph, but its heavy rains led to catastrophic flooding, prompting emergency crews to conduct thousands of water rescues, including the evacuation of more than 50 people from a hospital in Tennessee. Meanwhile, evacuations were ordered in Cocke County due to concerns about a potential dam failure. In addition to the flooding, landslides have closed major highways, and reports indicate storm surges reaching up to 10 feet in some coastal areas.
Authorities across affected states had urged residents to evacuate, but many remained. First responders faced challenges during the storm, with some unable to reach emergency calls due to the dangerous conditions. Helene’s size was noted as unusually large for a Gulf hurricane, with winds extending 310 miles outward, contributing to its extensive reach and impact.
