ST. MARKS, Fla. – Although Helene has transformed into a post-tropical cyclone as it moved through the Southeast on Friday, it still brought significant destruction, including historic flooding across several states, resulting in 39 fatalities and millions left without electricity.

Helene made landfall around 11:10 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday near Perry, Florida, with winds reaching 140 mph, marking it as the first recorded Category 4 hurricane to impact Florida’s Big Bend region since records began in 1851. As daylight broke, the devastation was evident with overturned boats, collapsed homes, and floodwaters several feet deep spanning the region.

In Steinhatchee, a coastal area close to Helene’s landfall, John Kujawski described the scene while driving a golf cart with his wife, Jamie Lee, dodging debris and downed trees. They were both shocked by the extent of the damage in the small town, where 9.63 feet of storm surge was recorded—a new record.

“This is overwhelming,” said Lee. “I don’t think it has fully hit me yet.”

Moody’s Analytics has projected the storm’s impact could lead to property damages ranging from $15 to $26 billion, primarily affecting Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

For several hours, Helene maintained its hurricane status while moving inland through northern Florida and into Georgia. By 5 p.m. Eastern Time, the National Weather Service confirmed Helene had weakened to a post-tropical cyclone with sustained winds of 35 mph. The storm had moved into Kentucky and was located about 50 miles south-southeast of Louisville.

Flash flood emergencies and warnings were in effect on Friday night across Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio, and the Carolinas. The weather service advised those in affected areas to avoid travel and seek higher ground due to the potential for life-threatening flash floods persisting into Saturday morning.

Across the Southeast, hundreds of water rescues were in progress as heavy rainfall and ongoing coastal flooding impacted western Florida. Additionally, more than 4 million utility customers were left without power from Florida to Virginia.

Updates:

∎ Governor Brian Kemp reported that 115 buildings in Valdosta, a city in southern Georgia, suffered severe damage due to Helene’s powerful winds, with rescue teams deployed to help individuals trapped inside.

∎ Extensive flooding and a mudslide led to the closure of long sections of Interstate 40 on Friday afternoon, straddling Tennessee and North Carolina.

∎ Helene is now recorded as the 14th most powerful hurricane to affect the U.S. since records began, and it ranks as the seventh most powerful to hit Florida, based on data from the National Hurricane Center.

∎ Federal Emergency Management Agency teams were deployed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas on Friday. President Joe Biden had granted emergency declarations for all five states in anticipation of the storm’s widespread effects.

∎ By late Friday, over 1,500 U.S. flights were canceled, with an additional 28,500 delays reported, according to FlightAware, a flight tracking site.

Helene Devastates Numerous Homes in Florida Beach Town

In Horseshoe Beach, a small seaside community and fishing spot in Florida’s Big Bend, Helene caused significant damage to numerous homes.

Some residences were pushed off their foundations, while others had roofs severely damaged. The strong winds and rising waters uprooted docks, tore down chain-link fences, and snapped utility poles.

Bill and Debbie Dotson were forced to set up a tent beneath their home after the storm stripped away their staircases, making their elevated 20-foot home inaccessible. This was their fourth hurricane experience since relocating to the coastal area in 2021.

“We are just thankful that it is still standing,” shared Debbie Dotson, 63.

Like many homes in Horseshoe Beach, theirs was built on concrete footings to protect against flooding. After Idalia had destroyed about 40 homes in the area, the Dotsons believed this latest storm had caused even more damage.

Bill Dotson, 67, estimated that floodwaters reached around 15 feet, based on the damage observed on his concrete supports. Last year, Idalia wrecked one of their staircases

and affected the other. A local contractor had only recently completed renovations for both properties at a cost of $15,000.

“We arrived here, saw this beautiful place, and were excited to go fishing during our retirement,” said Debbie Dotson. “We talked about the possibility of hurricanes, but you never expect it to actually happen. You just don’t,” she added.

– Trevor Hughes, YSL News

Asheville, North Carolina, under curfew due to extensive power outages

The western North Carolina city of Asheville remained largely dark late Friday and has been placed under a nightly curfew for the next two days to prevent residents from accidentally entering rising waters, as announced by the police.

“We are clearly experiencing the most significant natural disaster of our lifetime here in Buncombe County, perhaps even in history,” stated Ryan Cole, Buncombe County Assistant Emergency Services Director.

The French Broad River, which stretches over 200 miles from North Carolina to Tennessee, exceeded its previous record on Friday. The river reached almost 25 feet in the late afternoon, surpassing the previous record of 23.1 feet set on July 16, 1916, as documented by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

As of 10 p.m. ET, nearly 70% of Buncombe County, including Asheville, was without electricity, according to YSL News’s power outage tracker. There have been over 130 water rescues reported in Buncombe County, with nearly 200 firefighters actively responding to emergencies in Asheville, which has a population of about 95,000.

– Contributing: Will Hofmann, Asheville Citizen Times

Emergency evacuations in Tennessee due to false alarm of dam failure

A reported “catastrophic” dam failure that triggered an evacuation order for the entire downtown area of Newport, Tennessee, on Friday afternoon was determined to be a false alarm, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.

Officials in Cocke County advised residents to evacuate around 3 p.m. ET Friday following claims that Walters Dam had collapsed. However, state emergency management officials confirmed at approximately 4:40 p.m. that Duke Energy, the dam’s operator, stated it was still intact.

“The imminent threat of dam failure for Walters Dam on the Pigeon River has passed,” the National Weather Service in Morristown confirmed via X at 4:45 p.m. “However, significant flooding remains, and residents should heed evacuation orders from local authorities and avoid driving through flooded or closed roads.”

This scare occurred as nearby rivers began to overflow due to the impacts of Helene. The Pigeon River in Newport rose to nearly three times its flood stage on Friday afternoon, expected to peak at 23 feet before receding by evening.

– Tyler Whetstone and Allison Kiehl, the Knoxville News Sentinel

Florida home swept away by Helene

Lynn Padgett realized the extent of the destruction in her Steinhatchee neighborhood after seeing Facebook posts, but she never anticipated her house would be gone when she returned home on Thursday.

Her house, situated in a riverside area with other homes, was pushed off its foundation by the surge from Helene, ending up near the edge of a wooded area.

“This is the fourth instance of flooding for the house, and it’s the first time it has been actually washed away,” she said with a disheartened laugh while seated in her car with five Dachshunds and a cat. Another cat, Muffin, had climbed a tree in fear.

She wasn’t laughing out of joy; she explained that the store she manages, Jiffy Food, was also flooded and neither her home nor store had flood or wind insurance.

She was waiting in her car, hoping the water would recede enough to allow her access to the house where she lives with her husband, father, who is 67 and using a wheelchair, and her 18-year-old son.

“I can laugh or cry, but I honestly don’t know what to do,” she said. “We have lost everything.”

-Anne Geggis, Palm Beach Post

Over 50 individuals rescued from a hospital rooftop ‘surrounded’ by floodwaters

More than 50 patients and staff were rescued from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee, on Friday afternoon after becoming stranded due to rising floodwaters, as reported by Senator Bill Hagerty.

“All individuals have successfully been rescued from the roof of Unicoi County Hospital,” he announced. “Challenges remain for East Tennessee communities. Please remain safe and thanks for your prayers!”

According to a statement from Ballad Health, quickly rising waters from the Nolichucky River and high winds hindered ambulances, rescue boats, and even helicopters from reaching the hospital initially.

“The hospital was engulfed in dangerously high and rapidly moving water. The situation there was critical,” the statement indicated.

By approximately 12:30 p.m., 54 people were on the roof, and seven were in rescue boats. The water also started entering the hospital, as stated. The rescue operation concluded around 4:15 p.m., according to Hagerty’s updates.

Virginia State Police reported that its aviation units were aiding in the rescue efforts and shared a photo showing the facility engulfed in high floodwaters on social media.

Big Bend resident determined to rebuild after Helene’s destruction

Despite losing her riverside home, damaging eight of the 24 rental units she owns, and potential failure of the electrical system at her marina building, 59-year-old Danielle Norwood, owner of Sea Hag Marina alongside the Steinhatchee River, remained optimistic even as she pointed out the crumbled concrete floor.

“I’m shocked at this moment; I’m struggling to express my feelings,” she stated, taking a moment to collect herself.

“We’ll rebuild,” she continued. “That’s just who we are.”

Rebuilding is a familiar challenge for Norwood. The previous year’s Hurricane Idalia caused $1 million in damages to docks and affected the electrical system of the building due to flooding. To prevent this from happening again, Norwood relocated the electrical system to the second floor, but the nearly 10-foot storm surge from Helene seems to have impacted it once more.

Downstairs, a wooden bar remained intact; however, the TVs mounted above displayed a line that marked how high the water had risen.

On the positive side for Norwood, the storm’s impact did not affect the feral cats roaming the marina grounds or the docks that were significantly damaged by Idalia.

– Anne Geggis, Palm Beach Post

Millions without power in the eastern US

More than 4 million homes and businesses across the eastern U.S. experienced power outages on Friday night as Helene battered the area with intense winds and heavy rainfall.

The following are outage numbers from Florida to Virginia as of 10 p.m., according to the YSL News power outage tracker:

• South Carolina: 1,031,187
• Georgia: 898,176
• Florida: 527,152
• North Carolina: 748,112
• Virginia: 204,561
• Kentucky: 158,164
• Tennessee: 66,032
• West Virginia: 71,969

Florida sheriff describes coastal area as ‘war zone’ after Helene

In Florida’s Pinellas County – far from where Helene made landfall – officials painted a grim picture of the storm’s impact on its coastline.

“From my observations out there over the last few hours, I can only describe it as a war zone,” remarked Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri at a press conference on Friday morning.

He noted that roads were blocked and that widespread debris and damage were evident: “It will take time before this area can return to any level of normalcy.”

In Pinellas County, the storm surge peaked at over 8 feet overnight – “something unprecedented,” according to Cathie Perkins, the county’s emergency management director, during a Friday news briefing.

Casualties rise as Helene ravages the Southeast

At least 39 fatalities have been reported as Helene unleashed perilous weather across various states in the Southeast, as confirmed by both authorities and media sources. Officials anticipate that the death toll may continue to rise as they conduct door-to-door searches in the storm’s aftermath.

So far, at least seven deaths have been linked to the storm in Florida. In Pinellas County, covering Clearwater and St. Petersburg, five storm-related fatalities have been reported, according to Cathie Perkins, the emergency management director, at a Friday news conference.

Earlier Friday, Governor Ron DeSantis informed reporters of a death in Dixie County along the Big Bend coast, where a tree fell on a house. Additionally, a storm-related traffic accident led to one fatality in Ybor City, Tampa, as reported by the governor.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp stated in a Friday news conference that 11 people lost their lives during the storm, including a first responder.

“One of our bravest lost his life while attempting to save others,” Kemp expressed.

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety confirmed 19 storm-related deaths across six counties, as revealed by Brandon Charochak, a spokesperson for the governor’s office to YSL News Friday evening.

Among these victims, two lost their lives when trees fell on their homes, reported both the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office and coroner’s office to local media. Saluda County had two firefighters who also lost their lives, Governor Henry McMaster stated in a press conference. In Newberry County, one person was killed, and four fatalities were reported in Aiken County, confirmed Coroner Darryl Ables to YSL News via phone.

In North Carolina, a 4-year-old child died, and others sustained injuries in an accident that occurred during Helene’s outer bands impacting the state. In Charlotte, a resident died, and another was hospitalized after a tree fell on a residence just after 5 a.m. on Friday, according to the Charlotte Fire Department.

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

Evacuations ordered due to potential dam failure in North Carolina

In Rutherford County, North Carolina, evacuation orders were issued after severe flooding in the region threatened the structural integrity of a dam.

Rutherford County Emergency Management announced on Friday morning that a “catastrophic” flow of water along the Broad River began to overtop the Lake Lure Dam, situated about 35 miles southeast of Asheville. Consequently, a mandatory evacuation order was issued for areas downstream, including River Creek Campground and homes in the Green Hill, Cleghorn, and Union communities.

“RESIDENTS BELOW THE LAKE LURE DAM MUST EVACUATE TO HIGH GROUND IMMEDIATELY!!” county emergency officials posted on Facebook. “DAM FAILURE IMMINENT!! EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY!!”

Widespread outages and road closures in North Carolina and Georgia

Many towns across the Carolinas and northern Georgia were severely affected as Helene swept through, leaving substantial flooding in parts of Atlanta and prompting evacuation orders.

“All night, my phone was alerting me about flash flood warnings,” shared Paul Thatcher, 38, who runs the Franklin Terrace Bed and Breakfast in Franklin, North Carolina, about 70 miles southwest of Asheville.

Officials from Macon County, North Carolina, announced on Facebook that a nearby mountain road was closed on Friday due to significant erosion, resulting in parts of the road sliding down the valley.

In Elberton, Georgia, close to the South Carolina border, the Samuel Elbert Hotel experienced a power outage overnight but restored power around 10 a.m. on Friday, said front desk associate Deborah Morrison to YSL News.

Morrison noted that during her commute to work, she witnessed four homes damaged by fallen trees. One road was completely washed out around 6 a.m., while others were closed due to downed power lines and trees. This situation forced traffic on some roads to share a single lane in both directions, causing significant delays, she said.

“Everyone is managing quite well, without any panic,” remarked Morrison, 63.

Hurricanes may spawn tornadoes for days

As Helene moved through the Southeast on Friday, the threat of tornadoes became a significant concern.

Although tornadoes often don’t receive the same level of attention as the fierce winds and dangerous storm surges of hurricanes, they represent a serious and immediate hazard as storms make landfall and progress inland.

“Tornadoes can occur for two to three days after a hurricane moves inland,” stated Roger Edwards, a lead forecaster specializing in tornadoes at the Storm Prediction Center. He recalled that the highest tornado risk warning linked to a hurricane was issued three days after Hurricane Ivan hit Alabama in September 2004. Forecasters expected many supercells to form in Virginia, Maryland, and southern Pennsylvania.

The NOAA issued a tornado watch at 8:05 a.m. for parts of North Carolina, Eastern South Carolina, Southern Virginia, and adjacent coastal regions until at least 6 p.m. Friday. The tornado threat from Helene was anticipated to move northward across an area about 110 miles wide, stretching from 40 miles west-southwest of Florence, South Carolina, to 20 miles northeast of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, according to the agency.

They also warned of the possibility of severe thunderstorms with hail.

– Dinah Pulver, YSL News

Coastal Florida town hit hard by hurricane – again

As daylight broke on Friday morning, revealing boats on lawns, homes wrecked, and docks scattered across roads, 22 members of the Florida State Guard Special Missions Unit were searching through the mud on the south banks of the Steinhatchee River, looking for anyone in need of rescue.

Hurricane Helene made landfall nearby in Perry on Thursday evening. By Friday in Steinhatchee, land that was only dry hours earlier was under 40 to 50 inches of water, reported Jordon Bowen, commander of the unit, while surveying a road that now resembled a river.

“We have four different skiffs patrolling the neighborhood,” Bowen said, observing the southeast part of Steinhatchee. “We’re searching thoroughly to ensure no one is stranded.”

Fortunately, no assistance requests had come in so far. The search efforts included the National Guard, Coast Guard, sheriff’s deputies from Taylor County, and Florida Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 2. Nonetheless, Bowen viewed the overall situation as grim.

“It’s devastated,” Bowen stated, referring to an area approximately the size of 27 football fields. “It’s inaccessible, filled with debris, numerous hazards, downed power lines, and houses torn apart.”

– Anne Geggis, Palm Beach Post

Perry resident: ‘I’ve seen worse’

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

Parker, who has lived in her home since 1985, has never evacuated for a hurricane, recalling many names of past storms.

“The wind was fierce. But I’ve experienced worse. We’ve really had much worse. There were times when my whole front yard became a lake,” she reflected.

“I said a lot of prayers when the wind kicked up. But I truly believe the good Lord was looking after us.”

Is another hurricane forming after Helene?

While Helene was impacting Florida, a new hurricane was developing in the Atlantic. Hurricane Isaac formed on Friday morning, situated nearly 1,000 miles from Bermuda, according to the hurricane center.

Though Isaac is moving eastward across the open ocean away from land, the resulting swells are affecting parts of Bermuda’s coastline and may reach the Azores by this weekend. These swells present a risk of dangerous surf and rip currents.

Additionally, meteorologists are monitoring a weather disturbance over the central Atlantic that has a 90% chance of developing into a named storm in the next couple of days. “A tropical depression or storm could form today as the system moves westward at 10 to 15 mph,” stated the National Hurricane Center. “This system is expected to slow and turn north-northwestward by the weekend.”

If it receives a name, it will be called Tropical Storm Joyce. Currently, there is no threat to any land areas.

Moreover, forecasters are revisiting the Caribbean Sea, where another system appears to be developing in a similar area as Hurricane Helene. “The environmental conditions are favorable for gradual development while the system moves northwestward, possibly entering the Gulf of Mexico by the end of next week,” the hurricane center remarked.

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

– Doyle Rice, YSL News

Man and Dog Rescued from Stranded Sailboat, Taken to Hospital

In Sanibel, Florida, a U.S. Coast Guard Air Station team saved a man and his dog after their sailboat lost power and began taking on water off the coast.

Rescue teams located the disabled boat about 25 miles from the island after receiving a mayday call on Thursday.

A photo shared on X captures the Coast Guard performing the rescue near the vessel as rising waters surround them.

Authorities reported that both the boater and the dog were airlifted to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers.

The storm made its closest approach to the barrier island around 3 p.m. on Thursday, as noted by the National Weather Service.

– Natalie Alund, YSL News

Is Disney World Closed Due to Hurricane Helene?

Since its opening in 1971, Disney World has closed fewer than ten times for hurricanes and national emergencies, as reported by News-Press.

Residents Describe ‘Complete Devastation’ in Tampa Bay from Helene

“It’s total devastation and loss here,” Vikki Hudson, who lives in Largo just three miles from the coast, told YSL News on Friday. “The beaches are gone, everything is flooded. Boats are piled on top of houses and yards.”

Hudson mentioned that Gulf Boulevard, which stretches along the St. Petersburg coastline from Pass-A-Grille historic district to Clearwater, was completely submerged.

Living about 20 minutes from Treasure Island Beach, where she operates two businesses — The Island Girl Tiki Bar and The Island Girl Beach Rentals — Hudson hasn’t been able to check on her properties due to closed bridges from extensive flooding.

“We have no information yet; we can’t access any barrier islands,” Hudson added.

– Natalie Alund, YSL News

Ongoing Water Rescues Reported Across Florida

In Pasco County, communications manager Tambrey Lane reported that state and local agencies had rescued at least 135 individuals from rising waters by 7:30 a.m. Friday, with estimates suggesting the real number could exceed 200.

Rescue efforts were still underway as late as 8:30 a.m., and some areas remained unreachable for rescue teams. Over 54,000 homes west of Interstate 19 were under a mandatory evacuation order, along with about 4,000 more east of the highway.

“It’s very severe,” said Michelle Welsh, an emergency communications officer for the county. “I think it’s the worst I’ve ever witnessed.”

Welsh, a resident since 2007, stated her mobile home was without power, but thankfully her house remained intact.

– Phaedra Trethan, YSL News

City of St. Petersburg Powers Down Sewage Facility, Advises Residents

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

“Residents and businesses affected should refrain from draining water, showering, doing laundry, or flushing toilets,” the city cautioned. “Draining water may result in sewage backing up into homes and businesses.”

Damage Revealed in Florida’s Big Bend Region After Helene

A strong scent of pine filled the air, a reminder of the numerous trees that had been snapped along roads from St. Marks to Perry. Emergency personnel arrived in droves, navigating around downed trees along U.S. Highway 98, where sheriff deputies were controlling access and monitoring for potential looters.

In the small town of St. Marks, located about 20 miles south of Tallahassee, floodwaters crested at the front of the U.S. Post Office, which is roughly 3/10 of a mile from the St. Marks River that feeds into the Gulf further down. Some residents who planned to ride out the storm in their homes or on fishing boats in the marina had not been reachable by Friday morning, although cellular service in the area remained functional.

Continued Rescues in Atlanta as Helene Dumps Rain on the Southeast

Reports indicated that around 25 people were rescued from a flooded apartment complex just north of downtown Atlanta, according to multiple sources citing the Atlanta Fire Rescue Department.

Nearby Peachtree Creek reached major flood stage, recording levels over 23 feet. Flood watches and warnings were in place all across Georgia, and a state of emergency had been declared by Governor Brian Kemp for all counties within the state.

Precipitation totals for north-central Georgia, including Atlanta and its adjacent counties, ranged from 4-6 inches according to the weather service in Peachtree.