On Thursday night, Hurricane Helene struck the Southeast coast of the United States, causing widespread destruction. The storm, which started as a powerful Category 4 hurricane, first made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region with winds reaching 140 mph. The intense storm surge damaged homes and flooded coastal neighborhoods, leaving over a million Floridians without power.
.jpeg "Hurricane Helene Hits Southeast Coast, Leaving 4 People Killed")
As Helene moved north, it affected Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas, and Virginia, causing widespread power outages and forcing governors to declare states of emergency. Georgia saw over 68,000 people lose electricity, while in the Carolinas, more than 310,000 residents faced blackouts.
Sadly, the storm claimed several lives. A 4-year-old child was killed in North Carolina, two people died in Georgia from tornado-like winds, and a motorist in Florida lost their life when a sign fell on their car.
.jpeg "Hurricane Helene Hits Southeast Coast, Leaving 4 People Killed")
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis warned that more casualties could arise from the storm’s damage. However, by early Friday, there was some relief as Helene weakened to a Category 1 hurricane. Rescue efforts continued, with firefighters in Atlanta saving 25 people in water rescue operations.
Though the worst of the storm has passed, recovery efforts are now in full swing as communities work to restore power and begin rebuilding.