CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. — Emergency crews rushed Friday to rescue people trapped in flooded homes after Hurricane Helene roared ashore as a powerful Category 4 hurricane in Florida, generating a massive storm surge and knocking out power to millions of customers in several states.
Gov. Brian Kemp reported at least 11 fatalities in Georgia and several people trapped in homes damaged by Helene. In Florida and the Carolinas, at least six additional lives were lost.
The storm made landfall late Thursday in a sparsely populated region, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph) in the rural Big Bend area, a region known for fishing villages and vacation hideaways. However, the damage extended hundreds of miles to the north, with flooding reported as far away as North Carolina, where a lake used in scenes from the movie “Dirty Dancing” overtopped a dam. Multiple hospitals in southern Georgia were left without power.
“Thank God we’re both alive to tell about it,” said Rhonda Bell, recounting the moment a towering oak tree smashed through the roof of her home in Valdosta, Georgia.
Video footage shared on social media showed sheets of rain and siding being ripped from buildings in Perry, Florida, where the storm made landfall. A local news station reported on a home that was overturned, prompting many communities to establish curfews.
“It’s really heartbreaking,” said Stephen Tucker, after the hurricane peeled off the brand-new roof at her church in Perry, Florida. The church had just completed renovations after last year’s Hurricane Idalia and was weeks away from moving back into the newly renovated sanctuary.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stated that the damage from Helene in the area appears to be greater than the combined damage from Idalia and Debby last August. “It’s demoralizing,” he said.
President Joe Biden expressed his prayers for survivors as the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) headed to the area. The agency had deployed over 1,500 workers and had assisted with 400 rescues by late morning.
County officials immediately launched boats to reach stranded individuals, warning that the floodwaters could contain live wires, sewage, sharp objects, and other debris.
Flooded streets after Hurricane Helene in Madeira Beach, Fla., Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024.
“If you are trapped and need help, please call for rescuers – DO NOT TRY TO TREAD FLOODWATERS YOURSELF,” warned the sheriff’s office in Citrus County, Florida, raising concerns that the tide could bring another surge of up to 10 feet (3.05 meters).
Rescuers in Tampa used boats to reach stranded residents. “Flooding was what we had warned everyone about,” said Mayor Jane Castor.
More than 4 million homes and businesses were without power Friday morning in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina, according to reports from utility tracking services.
One person was killed in Florida when a sign fell on their car, and two fatalities were reported in a possible tornado in southern Georgia as the storm approached. Trees that fell on homes were blamed for additional deaths in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Anderson County, South Carolina.
The hurricane made landfall near the mouth of the Aucilla River on Florida’s Gulf Coast, just 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of where Hurricane Idalia struck last year with similar ferocity, causing widespread damage.
As Helene’s eye passed near Valdosta, a city of 55,000 near the Florida line, many people huddled in a darkened hotel lobby. The wind howled outside, and water dripped from the lobby’s light fixtures.
Fermin Herrera, 20, his wife, and their 2-month-old daughter left their hotel room on the top floor, concerned about trees falling on their home in Valdosta. “We heard some rumbling,” said Herrera, cradling the sleeping baby.
Helene is the third storm to strike the city in just over a year. Tropical Storm Debby had previously left thousands without power in August, while Hurricane Idalia damaged an estimated 1,000 homes in Valdosta and surrounding Lowndes County last year.
Shortly after moving over land, Helene weakened to a tropical storm, with maximum sustained winds falling to 70 mph (110 kph). By 11 a.m. Friday, the storm was about 105 miles (165 kilometers) northeast of Atlanta, moving north at 32 mph (52 kph) with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph (75 kph), as reported by the National Hurricane Center.
Forecasters expected the system to continue weakening as it moved into Tennessee and Kentucky, bringing heavy rain over the Appalachian Mountains and raising the risk of mudslides and flash flooding.
Even before landfall, the storm’s impact was felt widely, with sustained tropical storm-force winds and hurricane-force gusts along Florida’s west coast. Officials urged residents to evacuate.
“Please write your name, birthday, and important information on your arm or leg in a PERMANENT MARKER so that you can be identified and your family notified,” the sheriff’s office in rural Taylor County, Florida, warned those who chose not to evacuate.
Beyond Florida, up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain had fallen in the North Carolina mountains, with an additional 14 inches (36 centimeters) possible before the deluge ends, raising concerns of flooding that could be the worst in a century. Evacuations were underway in several areas of the state, and the sheriff’s office in Haywood County declared all roads closed.
Preparing for a Hurricane
Emergency management officials emphasize the need for residents to make a plan, have an emergency kit, and stay informed. Preparing for a hurricane includes gathering supplies in advance, such as nonperishable foods and water in case of power loss and low supplies in the community. It is also crucial to have all medical items and medications ready in case people are unable to leave their homes.
Emergency Kit Necessities
A good rule of thumb is to have 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water per person per day for about seven days. It is also advisable to have cash on hand, as ATMs may not be operational.
Evacuating Ahead of a Storm
Residents are urged to listen to local emergency management officials, who provide the most up-to-date information about evacuation zones.
School districts and several universities canceled classes. Airports in Tampa, Tallahassee, and Clearwater were closed Thursday, with widespread cancellations reported in Florida and beyond.
Just a day before hitting the U.S., Helene swamped parts of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, flooding streets and toppling trees as it brushed the resort city of Cancun and passed offshore. In western Cuba, Helene knocked out power to over 200,000 homes and businesses.
Forecasters had initially feared that hurricane conditions could extend as far as 100 miles (160 kilometers) north of the Georgia-Florida line. Overnight curfews were imposed in many cities and counties in southern Georgia.
Helene is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season this year, largely due to record-warm ocean temperatures.
Future Implications and Trends
The impact of Hurricane Helene is a stark reminder of the increasing severity of weather events in the context of climate change. The patterns of hurricane frequency and intensity are shifting, with warmer ocean temperatures contributing to the rapid intensification of storms. As communities continue to grapple with the aftermath of such events, the need for improved emergency management and community preparedness has never been more crucial.
As we look to the future, several trends are likely to emerge:
- Enhanced Emergency Management: The integration of technology and data analytics in emergency management will be crucial. Real-time data can help in predicting storm paths and intensities, allowing for more effective evacuation and rescue operations.
- Community Resilience: There will be a greater emphasis on community-based preparedness programs that not only educate residents about the risks but also provide resources for emergency kits and evacuation plans.
- Infrastructure Investment: As flooding and storm damage become more common, cities will need to invest in resilient infrastructure, such as improved drainage systems and flood barriers, to mitigate future risks.
- Policy and Regulation: Governments may need to revisit land-use policies and building codes to ensure that new developments are resilient to extreme weather events.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: There will be an increasing need for public awareness campaigns that emphasize the importance of preparedness and the need for individuals to take proactive steps to ensure their safety.
In light of these trends, it is essential for individuals, communities, and governments to collaborate and invest in preparedness and resilience. The future of hurricane preparedness will depend on the collective efforts to adapt to the changing climate and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
