Hurricane Helene Brings Destruction and Death to Florida and Neighboring States
At least three people have died and over 1.2 million homes and businesses are without power as Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm, with wind gust speeds of 140 miles per hour. The storm has since weakened to a tropical storm, but officials warn it remains "extremely dangerous" as it moves inland. Helene's size is massive, compared to previous hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico in over a year, and its impact is being felt in neighboring states, including Georgia, North and South Carolina, Alabama, and Virginia.
Key Takeaways:
- At least three people have died as a result of Hurricane Helene's landfall in Florida.
- Over 1.2 million homes and businesses are without power in Florida, with over 190,000 in Georgia and more than 30,000 across North and South Carolina.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has mobilized the National Guard and ordered thousands of personnel to ready for search-and-rescue operations.
- Weather officials forecast storm surges of up to 20 feet (6 meters) and warn they could be particularly "catastrophic and unsurvivable" in Florida's Apalachee Bay.
- US President Joe Biden urged people to heed official evacuation warnings and take the storm seriously.
- Governors of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Virginia have all declared emergencies.
Statistics:
- 3 people have died as a result of Hurricane Helene's landfall in Florida.
- Over 1.2 million homes and businesses are without power in Florida.
- More than 190,000 homes and businesses are without power in Georgia.
- Over 30,000 homes and businesses are without power across North and South Carolina.
- Wind gust speeds of 140 miles per hour were recorded during Helene's landfall in Florida.
Sources:
- mfi,kb/rc (AFP, AP)
- poweroutage.us
- National Weather Service
- National Hurricane Center
- US President Joe Biden