Hurricane Helene live: Several dead as tropical storm batters Georgia and Florida after landfall
Death toll continues to rise after Helene slammed into Florida’s coast as a Category 4 hurricane, marking one of the most powerful storms to strike US in recent memory
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At least three people have died as Helene made landfall in Florida as a devastating Category 4 hurricane on Thursday evening, bringing “catastrophic” and “unsurvivable” conditions.
Helene hit Florida’s Big Bend region just after 11pm ET packing sustained winds of around 140 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. Wind speeds continued to fall across Friday morning, with Helene eventually being downgraded to a tropical storm as it continues to chart its course through Georgia.
Since making landfall, the storm has caused “record” flooding across the Gulf Coast, leaving approximately 2.1 million homes and businesses across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas under blackout conditions on Friday. 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, and is one of the largest storms in breadth to hit the region in years, with only three bigger since 1988.
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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
Over 12 million people under warnings for high rainfall and flooding
Over 12 million people, from Florida and Georgia to Alabama and South Carolina, fall under a high-risk area where heavy rainfall is expected to cause disruption and flooding.
"Catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding from Helene is likely for parts of the Southeast and southern Appalachians," the National Weather Service said.
"Most flood fatalities occur in vehicles, turn around don't drown!"
The areas at greatest risk include portions of North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, and the Florida Panhandle.
Major cities such as Asheville, Charlotte, and Greenville are at risk of receiving 6 to 12 inches of rainfall, with isolated areas potentially seeing up to 20 inches.
What makes Helene one of the worst storms to strike the US?
Hurricane Helene is believed to be one of the worst storms to strike the US.
Helene’s size is massive compared to previous hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico. Officials warned of “catastrophic” and “unsurvivable” conditions ahead of the storm's arrival.
The storm made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane and it is expected to continue packing hurricane-force winds as it moves inland.
Helene quickly intensified from a category one storm into a catastrophic category four hurricane, something that has been frequently happening in recent years as ocean temperatures remain hotter than usual.
“Helene is moving over very warm waters that are at least 80 degrees reaching depths of 300 to 400 feet below the surface. That heat energy is going to help Helene explode in intensity this afternoon and evening,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane expert Alex DaSilva said on Thursday before the landfall.
Storms are now 25 per cent more likely than they were 40 years ago to be classified as a major hurricane as hot waters fuel the storms.
Helene now entering southern Georgia
Hurricane Helene is now moving north into the state of Georgia after making landfall in Florida, forecasters say.
The eyewall – the part of the storm that has the fastest winds below it – is now entering southern Georgia, the National Hurricane Center said in its 1am ET (6am BST) update.
The storm began to slightly weaken, the NHC said in its update, but it was expected to remain a hurricane.
“Please do not leave your shelter and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions,” the update said.
It said Helene “continues to produce catastrophic winds”.
Helene to remain a hurricane as it barrels towards Georgia
Helene is expected to remain a full-fledged hurricane as it rolls through the Macon, Georgia, area on Friday, forecasters said.
It could bring 12 inches (30.5 cm) of rain or more, potentially devastating the state’s cotton and pecan crops, which are in the middle of harvesting season.
“The current forecast for Hurricane Helene suggests this storm will impact every part of our state,” Georgia governor Brian Kemp said.
After making landfall across the Florida coast, Helene is expected to move more slowly over the Tennessee Valley on Friday and Saturday, the NHC said.
Here’s the path of the storm:
One dead and more fatalities likely after Helene landfall
At least one person has died in Florida after the Category 4 storm made landfall causing severe flooding.
The identity of the person and the cause has not been shared but in a press conference governor Ron DeSantis said it happened at Interstate 4 near the Tampa area.
He urged people to not travel, saying the "roads can be hazardous" and it's "very, very dangerous".
"Stay put!"
Mr DeSantis warned that there are likely to be "additional" fatalities in the state as the storm moves through.
"When Floridians wake up tomorrow morning, we're going to be waking up to a state where very likely there's been additional loss of life," he says. "And certainly, there's going to be loss of property."
He notes emergency crews don't know the extent of the impact yet due to it being night time in Florida.
"We're not getting a full picture yet," he says.
Photos show Tampa’s Florida High Patrol close the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
The Florida Highway Patrol in Tampa said it was closing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge Thursday afternoon, as conditions in the area are continuing to devolve.
“As weather conditions continue to deteriorate & wind gusts have reached 60 MPH, FHP is closing the #Skyway,” the patrol wrote on X.
“Motorists are requested to seek alternate routes, do not drive through flooded roads & unless absolutely necessary stay off area roadways.”
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