ST. MARKS, Fla. – Helene has downgraded to a tropical depression as it swept through the Southeastern U.S. on Friday, yet it still managed to create record-breaking flooding, leading to widespread power outages and contributing to at least 30 fatalities.

Helene struck land around 11:10 p.m. ET Thursday near Perry, Florida, with winds reaching 140 mph. This hurricane marked the first recorded Category 4 storm to impact Florida’s Big Bend area since record-keeping began in 1851. By morning, the devastation was apparent: overturned boats, collapsed homes, and deep floodwaters were visible across the beleaguered landscape.

In Steinhatchee, a small coastal town just a few miles from landfall, resident John Kujawski navigated his golf cart over debris and around fallen trees with his wife, Jamie Lee, feeling astonished by the destruction. The town, home to approximately 500 people, experienced a record-breaking storm surge of 9.63 feet.

“This is overwhelming,” Lee expressed. “I don’t think it’s fully registered yet.”

The storm maintained hurricane status for hours as it moved inland through northern Florida and into Georgia. By 11 a.m. ET Friday, the National Hurricane Center reported that Helene had downgraded to a tropical storm, with its weather bands impacting regions of the Carolinas and Tennessee. By 2 p.m., it became a tropical depression, with winds dropping to 35 mph, as it crossed into Kentucky, situated about 125 miles south-southeast of Louisville.

Flood warnings urging residents to move to higher ground were in effect across various parts of the Carolinas and the Atlanta region, where some areas faced up to 10 inches of rainfall, as reported by the weather service. Hundreds of water rescues were ongoing throughout the Southeast due to the heavy rains and persistent coastal flooding in western Florida. Additionally, over 4.5 million utility customers experienced power outages from Florida to Virginia.

Latest Updates:

∎ Tornado warnings were issued for eastern North Carolina and southern Virginia as Helene continued to push inland, as reported by the weather service. Flash flood and tropical storm warnings were active across northeast Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia.

∎ Helene is noted as the 14th most potent hurricane to strike anywhere in the U.S. since record-keeping began, and the seventh strongest hurricane to hit Florida, according to data from the National Hurricane Center.

∎ By Friday afternoon, over 900 U.S. flights were canceled, and more than 3,300 flights were delayed, as reported by FlightAware, a tracking website.

‘We have Lost Everything’: Florida Home Destroyed by Helene

Lynn Padgett knew from social media updates about her neighborhood in Steinhatchee that the damage might be severe at her home, where she has lived for 41 of her 48 years.

However, she was shocked to find that her house was no longer where she had left it on Thursday.

The house, situated in a riverside community among other homes, was swept off its foundation by Helene’s floodwaters and left at the edge of a nearby wooded area.

“This is the fourth time the river has flooded the house, but it’s the first time my house has been washed away,” she remarked humorously while sitting in her car with her five Dachshunds and a cat. Another cat, Muffin, had climbed a tree in fear.

Despite her laughter, the reality hit hard; she does not have flood insurance on her home, nor coverage for wind damage.

The Jiffy store where she works in Steinhatchee is also flooded, and she was sitting in her car, hoping the water level would drop enough for her to reach her home, where she lives with her 64-year-old husband, her 67-year-old father who uses a wheelchair, and her 18-year-old son.

“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry,” she admitted. “We have lost everything.”

-Anne Geggis, Palm Beach Post

Hospital ‘Submerged’ in Floodwaters; Many Stranded on Rooftop

At Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, numerous patients and staff found themselves stranded on the rooftop as floodwaters rapidly rose on Friday afternoon, according to a statement from Ballad Health.

The swiftly rising Nolichucky River and strong winds made it impossible for ambulances, rescue boats, and even helicopters to reach the location, the statement explained. As of 12:30 p.m., 54 individuals were reported on the roof, with seven seeking safety in rescue boats. Water had also infiltrated the hospital.

“The hospital is surrounded by extremely dangerous and swiftly moving water. The situation is critical,” the statement cautioned.

Big Bend Resident Stays Determined to Rebuild After Helene

Her riverside house is ruined, eight of the 24 rental units she owns have been flooded,

It seems that the electrical system powering the riverside marina building may have malfunctioned.

Nevertheless, Danielle Norwood, 59, the proprietor of Sea Hag Marina, which is situated along the Steinhatchee River, managed to smile while she indicated a concrete floor that had crumbled.

“At this moment, I’m in shock; I can’t really express what I’m feeling,” she remarked, pausing briefly.

“We’ll rebuild,” she asserted. “We are those types of individuals.”

The rebuilding process is all too familiar for Norwood. Last year, Hurricane Idalia caused $1 million in damage to the docks, and flooding knocked out the building’s electrical system. To prevent this from happening again, she relocated the electrical system to the building’s second floor, but Helene’s nearly 10-foot storm surge seems to have short-circuited it once more.

On the lower floor, a wooden bar remained intact; however, the TVs mounted above it displayed a line indicating how high the water had risen.

On a positive note, Helene’s wrath spared the feral cats that roam the marina grounds and the docks, which had already sustained significant damage from Idalia.

– Anne Geggis, Palm Beach Post

Millions left without power as Helene continues its assault across the eastern US

More than 4.5 million homes and businesses in the eastern United States were without power early Friday as Helene battered the area with fierce winds and heavy rainfall.

Below are the outage figures from Florida to Virginia as of 2 p.m., according to a power outage tracker from YSL News.

• South Carolina: 1,148,249
• Georgia: 1,007,703
• Florida: 883,689
• North Carolina: 862,902
• Virginia: 226,976
• Kentucky: 148,168
• Tennessee: 174,437
• West Virginia: 63,718

Florida sheriff describes coastal area as ‘a war zone’ in the wake of Helene

Officials in Pinellas County, Florida—hundreds of miles away from where Helene made landfall—outlined the devastating effects the storm had on their coast.

“Having spent the last few hours there, I would describe it as a war zone,” Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said at a press conference on Friday morning.

He noted that many roads were blocked and highlighted the extensive debris and destruction: “It’s going to take some time before the area can regain any sort of functionality.”

Along Pinellas County’s coastline, the storm surge exceeded 8 feet overnight—“an unprecedented event,” stated Cathie Perkins, the director of the county’s emergency management, during a press conference on Friday.

Death toll rises as Helene wreaks havoc in the Southeast

Authorities and media reports indicate that at least 30 people have lost their lives as Helene brought severe weather conditions to multiple Southeastern states.

In Florida, seven deaths have been linked to the storm. In Pinellas County, which includes Clearwater and St. Petersburg, five fatalities were confirmed, according to emergency management director Cathie Perkins in a press conference on Friday.

Earlier on Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis informed reporters about a fatality in Dixie County from a tree crashing onto a home. Another individual died due to a storm-related traffic accident in Ybor City, Tampa, the governor noted.

Georgia’s Governor Brian Kemp reported at a press briefing on Friday that 11 people had perished during the storm, including a first responder.

“One of our brave heroes lost their life while trying to save others,” Kemp remarked.

In northwestern South Carolina, two individuals died after trees fell on their residences, as reported by the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and coroner’s office. Additionally, two firefighters tragically lost their lives in Saluda County, according to Governor Henry McMaster’s statements at a press conference. Two fatalities were also reported in Newberry County, and four in Aiken County, as communicated by Coroner Darryl Ables to YSL News via phone.

In North Carolina, a 4-year-old was killed and others sustained injuries in a car accident on Thursday, occurring during Helene’s outer bands. In Charlotte, North Carolina, a person perished and another was sent to the hospital when a tree fell on their home early Friday morning, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.

“That was a storm-related fatality,” Battalion Chief John Lipcsak, a spokesperson for the fire department, stated to YSL News.

Evacuations prompted by potential dam failure in North Carolina

In Rutherford County, North Carolina, officials have issued evacuation orders due to severe flooding that has put a dam at risk of failing.

On Friday morning, Rutherford County Emergency Management announced that “catastrophic” water flow along the Broad River had begun overtopping the Lake Lure Dam, located around 35 miles southeast of Asheville. As a precaution, a mandatory evacuation order was put in place for areas downstream, including River Creek Campground and homes in the Green Hill, Cleghorn, and Union communities.

“RESIDENTS BELOW THE LAKE LURE DAM NEED TO EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY!!” emergency officials urged on Facebook. “DAM FAILURE IMMINENT!! EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY!!”

Power outages and road closures affect North Carolina and Georgia

Hundreds of towns across the Carolinas and northern Georgia experienced significant damage from Helene as it swept through the area on Friday morning, leading to extensive flooding in parts of Atlanta and prompting evacuation alerts.

“All the notifications on my phone were nonstop about flash flood warnings throughout the night,” said Paul Thatcher, 38, owner of Franklin Terrace Bed and Breakfast in Franklin, North Carolina, situated about 70 miles southwest of Asheville.

A nearby mountain highway was closed on Friday because erosion had compromised the edge of the road, causing degradation of the asphalt and slipping down the valley, as stated by officials in Macon County, North Carolina, on Facebook.

In Elberton, Georgia, close to the state boundary with South Carolina, the Samuel Elbert Hotel lost power overnight, but restored it around 10 a.m. on Friday, according to front desk staff member Deborah Morrison speaking to YSL News.

During her commute on Friday morning, Morrison noticed four houses affected by fallen trees. One road was entirely washed out by 6 a.m., while others were blocked due to downed power lines and trees. This situation forced traffic on some routes to alternate using a single lane, resulting in long queues of cars, according to Morrison.

“Everyone has handled the situation well; there’s no panic,” Morrison, 63, remarked.

Hurricanes May Spawn Tornadoes for Several Days

As Hurricane Helene swept through the Southeast on Friday, the likelihood of tornadoes became a significant concern.

Although tornadoes often don’t get the same attention as the powerful winds or dangerous storm surges of hurricanes, they remain a serious and immediate threat once storms make landfall and move inland.

“Hurricanes can generate tornadoes for two to three days after moving inland,” explained Roger Edwards, a lead forecaster at the Storm Prediction Center who specializes in tornadoes. The greatest tornado risk ever issued by the center related to a hurricane was three days after Hurricane Ivan hit Alabama in September 2004. Forecasters anticipated a significant amount of supercells in areas such as Virginia, Maryland, and even parts of southern Pennsylvania.

NOAA issued a tornado watch at 8:05 a.m. for several areas in North Carolina, Eastern South Carolina, Southern Virginia, and nearby coastal areas, lasting until at least 6 p.m. Friday. The tornado threat from Helene was expected to shift northward, affecting a zone about 110 miles on either side of a line stretching from 40 miles west-southwest of Florence, South Carolina, to 20 miles northeast of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, as reported by the agency.

Additionally, the agency mentioned that severe thunderstorms accompanied by hail were also a possibility.

– Dinah Pulver, YSL News

Hurricane Strikes Again: Coastal Florida Town Impacted

As daylight broke on Friday, debris could be seen scattered across yards, homes were heavily damaged, and docks were displaced from the river onto the roads. In Steinhatchee, 22 members of the Florida State Guard Special Missions Unit were wading through muddy waters alongside the Steinhatchee River, searching for anyone in need of rescue.

Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday evening near Perry, and Jordon Bowen, commander of the unit, noted that Steinhatchee, which had been dry just hours before, was now inundated with 40 to 50 inches of water.

“We have four different skiffs patrolling the neighborhood,” Bowen said, scanning the southeast area of Steinhatchee. “We’re ensuring that everyone is accounted for.”

Fortunately, no one has requested assistance thus far. The search operation involved the support of the National Guard, the Coast Guard, Taylor County sheriffs, and Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 2. However, Bowen indicated that the overall situation looked dire.

“It’s devastated,” Bowen stated, pointing to an area equivalent to around 27 football fields. “It’s inaccessible, filled with debris and hazards, including downed power lines and houses split apart.”

– Anne Geggis, Palm Beach Post

Perry Resident Claims: ‘I’ve Experienced Worse’

Near Perry, Florida, longtime resident Donna Parker, 80, observed her grandson as he chopped up a fallen palm tree using a chainsaw.

Having lived in her home since 1985, Parker has never evacuated for a hurricane and can still recall the names of storms she’s encountered.

“The wind was fierce, but I’ve dealt with worse. We’ve had more intense storms before. There were times my entire front yard turned into a lake,” she reflected.

“I said a lot of prayers when the winds picked up, but the good Lord looked after us.”

Is Another Hurricane on the Horizon After Helene?

As Hurricane Helene battered Florida, a new hurricane was developing in the Atlantic. Hurricane Isaac formed on Friday morning far out in the ocean, nearly 1,000 miles from Bermuda, according to the hurricane center.

Although flowing east across the open Atlantic and remaining far from land, swells created by Isaac are impacting parts of Bermuda’s coast and may extend to the Azores by the weekend. These swells could result in hazardous surf and rip current conditions.

In addition, forecasters are monitoring a weather system in the central Atlantic Ocean, which has a 90% chance of becoming a named storm in the next couple of days. “A tropical depression or storm could develop today as this system moves generally westward to west-northwestward at 10 to 15 mph,” indicated the National Hurricane Center. “It is expected to slow down and turn north-northwestward by this weekend.”

If it becomes named, it will be referred to as Tropical Storm Joyce. As of Friday morning, this system does not pose any threat to land areas.

Finally, concerningly, meteorologists are refocusing their attention to the Caribbean Sea, where another system seems to be forming near where Hurricane Helene originated. “Conditions are expected to be favorable for gradual development as this system moves generally northwestward, and it may enter the Gulf of Mexico by the end of next week,” stated the hurricane center.

If this system strengthens into a storm, it will be named Tropical Storm Kirk.

– Doyle Rice, YSL News

Man and Dog Rescued from Disabled Sailboat

In Sanibel, Florida, a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station crew successfully rescued a man and his dog after their sailboat became disabled and began taking on water off the Florida coastline.

The crew located the distressed boat 25 miles from the island after receiving a mayday call on Thursday.

A photo shared on X shows the Coast Guard rescuing the man and his dog near their disabled vessel as rising waters swirl around them.

Authorities confirmed that both the boater and his dog were airlifted to Southwest Florida International Airport.

in Fort Myers.

The storm reached its nearest point to the barrier island at around 3 p.m. on Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

– Natalie Alund, YSL News

Is Disney World closed due to Hurricane Helene?

Visitors at the theme park were waiting for official announcements on Friday regarding which areas of Walt Disney World might be closed.

On Thursday, Walt Disney World in Orlando remained open, though several attractions were shut down due to Hurricane Helene. These included the Typhoon Lagoon water park and the miniature golf course. The Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party for Thursday was also canceled, as reported by the Fort Myers News-Press, part of the YSL News Network.

Since its opening in 1971, Disney World has had to close its doors less than a dozen times for hurricanes and national emergencies, according to the News-Press.

Residents in Tampa Bay describe ‘total devastation’

Tampa Bay residents reported seeing beaches disappear, boats colliding with homes, and businesses engulfed in flames.

“There’s complete devastation and loss here,” stated Vikki Hudson, a Largo resident approximately three miles from the coast, during an interview with YSL News on Friday. “The beaches are gone. Everything is flooded. Boats are piled onto houses and yards.”

Hudson noted that Gulf Boulevard, which runs along the St. Petersburg coastline from the Pass-A-Grille historic district north to Clearwater, was “completely submerged.”

Living just 20 minutes from Treasure Island Beach, where her businesses, The Island Girl Tiki Bar and The Island Girl Beach Rentals, are located, Hudson has been unable to check on them due to road closures from extensive flooding.

“We don’t have any information yet; we can’t access any of the barrier islands,” Hudson said.

– Natalie Alund, YSL News

Water rescues taking place across Florida: ‘It’s the worst I’ve seen’

Officials along the west coast of Florida reported conducting water rescues on Friday as storm surge continued to flood coastal regions.

In Pasco County, communications manager Tambrey Lane stated that state and local teams had rescued at least 135 individuals from rising waters by 7:30 a.m. Friday, with estimates possibly reaching 200 or more.

Rescue operations were still ongoing as of 8:30 a.m., and some areas were still hard to reach for rescue teams. More than 54,000 homes were under mandatory evacuation orders west of Interstate 19, with about 4,000 additional homes east of the highway.

“It’s really severe,” shared Michelle Welsh, an emergency communications officer for the county. “I think this is the worst I’ve ever seen.”

Welsh, a resident since 2007, noted that while her single-wide trailer lost power, her home thankfully remained intact.

– Phaedra Trethan, YSL News

Sewage plant in Florida city powered down; residents urged to avoid flushing or showering

Residents in a part of St. Petersburg, a city with a population of 261,000, were advised against flushing toilets or taking showers after the city cut power to a sewage treatment facility.

The city explained this “difficult decision” was made to “protect the plant from unprecedented storm surge,” according to a statement released Friday morning.

“Residents and businesses affected should refrain from draining water, taking showers, doing laundry, or flushing toilets,” the city advised. “Draining water could cause sewage to back up into homes and businesses.”

Dawn reveals damage in the aftermath of Helene

Friday morning broke over a ravaged Big Bend region of Florida following the passage of Hurricane Helene overnight.

The strong scent of pine filled the air, remnants of numerous snapped trees lining the roads between St. Marks and Perry. Emergency responders rushed into the area, moving around downed trees along U.S. Highway 98 while sheriff’s deputies controlled access and patrolled for potential looting.

In the small town of St. Marks, around 20 miles south of Tallahassee, floodwaters had reached the front door of the U.S. Post Office, situated about 3/10 of a mile from the St. Marks River, which flows into the Gulf a few miles downstream. Some residents had intended to ride out the storm in their homes or on fishing boats moored at the marina. Unfortunately, they could not be reached immediately on Friday, although cell phone service in the region was operational.

Rescue efforts underway in Atlanta as Helene drenches the Southeast

Emergency services in the Atlanta metro area carried out rescues early Friday as Helene swept through the state, pouring significant rainfall across a large part of the Southeast.

Reports indicate that around 25 individuals were rescued from a flooded apartment complex north of downtown Atlanta, according to various outlets citing the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department.

Peachtree Creek had reached major flood stage, exceeding 23 feet in height. Flood watches and warnings were in effect across Georgia, where all counties are under a state of emergency declared by Governor Brian Kemp.

In north-central Georgia, including Atlanta and surrounding areas, 4-6 inches of rain have already fallen, according to the weather service in Peachtree City, located south of Atlanta. Additionally, forecasters predict another 2 inches of rain may fall throughout the morning.

Emergency shelters in Tallahassee full as residents prepare for Helene

Amber Handlin sat with her Lab mix Duckey in a temporary shelter set up at the gym of Leon High School. They were among 546 individuals and 60 pets seeking refuge in Leon County’s shelters on Thursday afternoon.

Living in her car and without friends or family nearby, Handlin felt anxious alongside her dog as the storm approached, particularly with numerous counties imposing mandatory evacuation orders.

Residents Sydney Walter, Jacob Walsh, and their one-year-old son Graylan, who live close to the Florida State University campus, expressed their concerns. “We’re like nope, we’re not taking any chances,” they said.

“I’m not even going to attempt it,” Walter expressed. “I mentioned that I have a baby, so I’m not taking any risks.”

The family, who is anticipating another addition, opted to take refuge at Leon’s gym. They chose it for its location near their home, the safety it provides, and most importantly, the encouragement they received from Governor Ron DeSantis, according to the mother.

– Alaijah Brown, Tallahassee Democrat

Helene triggers flash flood emergency in North Carolina

In Mitchell and Avery counties in western North Carolina, officials issued a flash flood emergency alerting residents to the possibility of “catastrophic flooding.”

Authorities reported significant flooding across both counties with rainfall exceeding 7 to 10 inches, leading to road closures, flooded bridges, and homes and businesses being submerged. Water rescues were ongoing throughout the area, as reported by the weather service.

“This is a VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. IMMEDIATELY SEEK HIGHER GROUND! Life-threatening flash floods are affecting low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses,” cautioned the weather service in the nearby state of South Carolina.

National weather radar

Florida boaters endure Hurricane Helene

As Hurricane Helene battered northwest Florida with winds exceeding 100 mph and water surges several feet high, Philip Tooke managed to send a short but urgent message from his mobile phone while enduring the storm – not in his home, but on his boat.

“Lost power,” he communicated from St. Mark’s, located 30 miles south of Tallahassee and about 20 miles from where Hurricane Helene struck the Aucilla River’s mouth. He added: “Still floating.”

Tooke, a 63-year-old seafood market owner, and his brother stayed aboard their fishing vessels as Helene raged in the region. They are part of a group of Floridians who turned to the water to survive, defying evacuation orders issued ahead of the Category 4 hurricane and grim warnings predicting fatalities for those who chose to stay.

– Michael Loria, Trevor Hughes, YSL News

Potential damage from Helene

It is too early to assess the full extent of the damage in the counties hit by Helene. However, the National Hurricane Center indicates that Category 4 storms pose a severe risk to well-constructed homes, with possible loss of roofs and walls. Most trees may be uprooted or snapped, and power poles can be taken down.

“Power outages could persist for weeks or even months. Many areas may remain uninhabitable for extended periods,” warns the hurricane center regarding Category 4 storms.

The governors of Georgia and the Carolinas have declared states of emergency as the rapidly moving storm impacts the Florida coastline.

“We might be able to avoid the storm’s full force, but it is still anticipated to cause flooding, high winds, and isolated tornadoes,” stated South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster. “Please take appropriate precautions and stay updated with local forecasts.”

– Doyle Rice

FEMA head to assess Helene’s impact firsthand

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell plans to visit Florida on Friday to evaluate the storm’s effects and report back to President Biden.

Criswell stated she would attempt to fly as close to Tallahassee as possible and meet with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and his team. She expressed a desire to conduct an aerial tour, if feasible, to witness the damage firsthand. After her Florida visit, she is prepared to move on to Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, which are also predicted to be heavily impacted by Helene.

“Being out there helps me confirm the damage more quickly, allowing us to expedite necessary declarations,” she told reporters at a White House briefing on Thursday, assuring that the agency is equipped to respond to this disaster.

Criswell mentioned that FEMA has proactively allocated resources before Helene’s arrival and encouraged residents likely to be affected to do the same, both in Florida and in areas further inland. Regions of Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and the Appalachians may experience up to 20 inches of rain and widespread flooding.

“Take this storm seriously,” urged Criswell. “Individuals in the path of Hurricane Helene should heed local officials’ advice. If they tell you to evacuate, please do so. Likewise, if they advise you to shelter in place, that’s what you should follow. They will provide the best information tailored to your unique situation. Following their guidance could save lives.”

− Francesca Chambers