Hurricane Helene leaves 3 dead after making landfall in Florida as historic Category 4 storm: Latest
Death toll continues to rise after Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida’s coast as one of largest storms ever to strike US
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
At least three people have died as Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as one of the most powerful storms to strike the United States, bringing “catastrophic” and “unsurvivable” conditions.
Helene hit Florida’s Big Bend region just after 11pm ET as a Category 4 storm packing sustained winds of around 140 mph, the National Hurricane Center said.
Even before it made landfall, the storm had flooded the Gulf Coast and knocked out power for at least 1 million customers in the state. Apart from Florida, Alabama, and parts of the Carolinas are also at risk of flooding.
The first death was confirmed by Florida governor Ron DeSantis, after a sign fell on a driver’s car in Tampa. Two more deaths were reported in Wheeler County late on Thursday, Georgia after a trailer was swept up by a tornado.
Helene’s size is massive compared to previous hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm was forecast to be one of the largest storms in breadth to hit the region in years, with only three bigger since 1988.
‘Record-breaking’ flash flooding as landslide alert issued
Helene weakens to tropical storm as tracks through Georgia
Helene has been downgraded to a tropical storm as it continuesato move inland over Georgia, with sustained winds of about 70mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest public advisory.
Life-threatening storm surge, strong winds and heavy rains will continue across the state.
It comes after Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane late on Thursday, with wind speeds reaching 140mph.
The death toll currently stands at three, with a clearer picture of the devastation in the Sunshine State to unfold this morning.
More than 2.1m homes and businesses left without power across Southeast US
Approximately 2.15m homes and businesses are currently without power across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina, according to Poweroutage.us.
Florida, which is experience the worst of the blackouts, has more than 1.25m electricity customers left in the dark. Georgia sees more than 644,000 customers without power.
About 200,100 homes and businesses are experiencing power failures in South Carolina while North Carolina sees approximately 51,000 customers face blackouts.
Girl, 4, killed in car crash during heavy rains spawned from Hurricane Helene
A four-year-old girl and a 58-year-old man died in a head-on road collision in Charlotte, North Carolina, during “heavy rains” spawned by Hurricane Helene ahead of it making landfall on Thursday, authorities said.
The Catawba County wreck happened on along Boggs Road near Hunsucker Drive at approximately 8.10am, according to State Highway Patrol Trooper Christopher Casey said.
Two other children, a two-year-old and a 12-year-old, were hospitalized and left with “life-threatening injuries,” authorities said.
Hurricane Helene continues to ‘rapidly’ sweep through Georgia as it heads north
‘Do not leave your shelters,’ National Hurricane Center warns Georgia residents
The National Hurricane Center has urged Georgia residents in the path of Helene to “not leave their shelters” due to “life-threatening” conditions across the state.
“Helene continues to produce hurricane force winds that are moving further into Georgia,” the NHC said in its latest statement.
“This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Persons should not leave their shelters and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions.
“When in the eye, people are reminded to not venture out in the relative calm, as hazardous winds will increase very quickly when the center passes.”
At least three killed by Hurricane Helene as death toll expected to rise
At least three people have been killed as Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday evening, with more deaths expected to follow.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed that at least one was person was killed in the Tampa area after a traffic sign fell on a vehicle, he said in a late night news conference on Thursday.
A further two people were killed in Wheeler County, Georgia after their trailer was picked up by the tornado and dragged across Highway 19 before landing in a field, according to Wheeler County Emergency Management Agency Director Steve Adams.
Georgia residents urged to take shelter as Hurricane-force winds rip through state
Two killed as tornado drags trailer across highway as Helene hurtles through Georgia
Two people have died after a tornado broke out in Wheeler County, Georgia, officials confirmed late on Thursday evening.
An unnamed male and female were killed after their trailer was picked up by the tornado and dragged across Highway 19 before landing in a field, according to Wheeler County Emergency Management Agency Director Steve Adams.
Two vehicles were also hit by the trailer, although is not clear whether more injuries were sustained.
The tornado was from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp took to X to lament the loss of the two deceased early on Friday morning.
“Marty, the girls, and I are saddened to learn of the loss of two lives in Wheeler County this evening,” he wrote.
“As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant, and pray for all those affected.”
Watch: International Space Station flies over Hurricane Helene
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments