Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend region as a powerful Category 4 storm, wreaking havoc across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The storm, which has since weakened to a Category 1 hurricane, left at least six people dead and millions without power. As it moves inland, officials are warning of further destruction, particularly from heavy rains and potential tornadoes.
Landfall and Early Impact
Helene roared ashore near Perry, Florida, late Thursday with winds reaching 140 mph (225 kph). This marked the first Category 4 hurricane to hit Florida’s Big Bend region since 1859. The storm triggered catastrophic storm surges of up to 20 feet in some areas, prompting mandatory evacuations along the Gulf Coast. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to flee the area ahead of the storm’s landfall, warning of severe flooding, road closures, and extensive power outages.
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By early Friday, Helene had weakened but continued to cause destruction as it moved inland. In Wheeler County, Georgia, two people were killed when a possible tornado hit a mobile home park. Four others were killed elsewhere in the state as tornado warnings and extreme weather raked across Georgia. Meanwhile, in Florida, a motorist was killed when a highway sign fell on their car amid the fierce winds in Tampa.
Widespread Power Outages
More than 3 million people across the Southeast have been left without power in the wake of the storm. Florida was the hardest hit, with over 1 million homes and businesses losing electricity. In Georgia and South Carolina, nearly 900,000 customers each were affected, and North Carolina reported over 300,000 outages. Utility crews are already working to restore power, but officials warn that it could take days or even weeks to fully recover, especially in hard-hit rural areas.
Tornado Threat and Inland Flooding
While Helene continues to weaken as it moves north, the storm remains dangerous, particularly in areas at risk of tornadoes and inland flooding. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings for parts of Georgia, South Carolina, and southern North Carolina, where severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are possible as the storm progresses.
In addition to the tornado threat, Helene’s rainfall is expected to cause significant flooding, especially in mountainous regions. North Carolina and Tennessee could receive up to 14 inches of rain, potentially triggering landslides and flash flooding in the southern Appalachian mountains. Forecasters have warned that flooding in some areas could be worse than any seen in the past century.
Historical Comparisons and Climate Context
Helene’s size and strength have drawn comparisons to some of the largest hurricanes in recent history. According to Phil Klotzbach, a hurricane researcher at Colorado State University, only three Gulf hurricanes since 1988 have been larger: Irma in 2017, Wilma in 2005, and Opal in 1995. The storm is part of a troubling trend of increasingly powerful hurricanes fueled by climate change and record-warm ocean temperatures.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has predicted an above-average Atlantic hurricane season due to these warming seas. Helene is the eighth named storm of the 2024 season, and more could follow as the season progresses.
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As the storm continues to move inland, search-and-rescue teams are being deployed across the affected regions. Federal, state, and local authorities are coordinating efforts to provide shelter, restore power, and offer aid to those displaced by the hurricane. However, officials warn that the road to recovery will be long, especially in areas facing catastrophic damage from winds, floods, and tornadoes.