Hurricane Helene kills 64 people as millions left without power after catastrophic storm: Live updates
The Nolichucky dam that runs near Greenville, Tennessee, remains intact despite concerns over its imminent collapse
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At least 64 people have died as a result of Hurricane Helene, which has caused billions of dollars worth of damage as it rips across a wide swath of the southeastern US.
In a Saturday update on Helene, the National Hurricane Center said that “catastrophic and historic flooding” would continue over portions of the Southern Appalachians, though the risk for additional heavy rainfall was continuing to decrease.
The storm, now classified a post-tropical cyclone, is expected to hover over the Tennessee Valley on Saturday and into Sunday, the NHC added. Millions have been left without power after power lines and cell towers were damaged.
Among the people killed in the storm were three firefighters, a woman and her 1-month-old twins, and an 89-year-old woman whose house was struck by a falling tree, according to an Associated Press tally.
Helene blew ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday packing winds of 140mph and then quickly moved through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, splintering homes and sending creeks and rivers over their banks and straining dams.
Preliminarily estimates put the total damage and economic loss from Helene at between $95bn and $110bn, according to AccuWeather.
Flash flood warnings remain in place over three states
On Saturday, parts of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia remain under flash flood emergencies.
Footage online showed devastation in the small towns of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, in North Carolina, most of which was completely washed away by flooding.
TV reporter interrupts live broadcast to rescue trapped woman during Hurricane Helene
A Fox meteorologist leaped into action during a live broadcast early Friday morning to rescue a woman trapped in her car amid the deadly Category 4 Hurricane Helene.
Bob Van Dillen was reporting from North Atlanta, Georgia — which has been gripped by flooding and massive gusts — when the woman could be heard frantically calling out for help from her submerged white car in his live shot.
Read the full story here:
TV reporter interrupts live broadcast to rescue trapped woman during Hurricane Helene
‘She was panicking. She really wasn’t making too much sense,’ said meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
First responder among those killed in Georgia
Vernon “Leon” Davis, the Blackshear Fire Department’s assistant chief, died when a tree fell on his city truck shortly before 1.30 am Friday, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Video shows Atlanta firefighters make heroic water rescue
Helene damages historic Georgia buildings
Multiple historic buildings have partially collapsed in downtown Valdosta.
Major North Carolina highway is washed out from Helene
Sections of North Carolina’s I-40 are washed out following impacts from Tropical Depression Helene.
Helene becomes a post-tropical cyclone - but historic impacts continue in southern Appalachians
Helene has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, but severe the National Hurricane Center said historic and catastrophic impacts would continue through Saturday.
“Widespread serious river flooding is ongoing, some of which will be major to record breaking,” the agency wrote on X.
Alligators spotted swimming in Florida streets
In Sarasota, Florida alligators have been spotted swimming through streets amid flooding.
Coast Guard officials release footage of Florida rescue of man and his dog
Several injured after North Carolina tornado tears through city
Four people were critically injured and numerous others sustained minor injuries after a tornado touched down in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Officials said three buildings received significant damage. Images and video posted to social media showed the remains of buildings scattered around city blocks.
The damage appeared to be concentrated on Wesleyan Boulevard and Tiffany Boulevard. An 18-wheel tractor-trailer truck also flipped over in that area, but the driver was not hurt.
With reporting from The Associated Press
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