Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm on Thursday night, hitting the coast around 11:10 p.m. ET.
With winds reaching 140 mph, the storm caused severe flooding, dangerous storm surges, and has already led to several deaths across multiple states.
The eye of the hurricane crossed the coastline just east of the Aucilla River, about 10 miles west-southwest of Perry, Florida.
The storm pummeled the area with sustained winds of 140 mph and a central pressure of 938 mb, according to data from Air Force reconnaissance aircraft.
The intense winds left over 1.3 million residents in Florida without power.
At least three people have died, including one in the Tampa area, where a highway sign fell onto a car, according to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Storm Surge and Flooding Wreak Havoc
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a dire warning for life-threatening storm surge and flooding, describing the situation as “catastrophic and potentially unsurvivable” along portions of Florida’s Big Bend coast.
The highest storm surge, reaching up to 20 feet, was expected from Carrabelle to the Suwannee River, submerging entire coastal areas and triggering water rescues.
Cities like Apalachicola and Chassahowitzka saw storm surge levels of 10-15 feet, while Clearwater Beach experienced its highest surge since the Superstorm of 1993, with levels reaching more than 7 feet.
Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina also felt the brunt of Helene’s force, with widespread power outages and torrential rain.
As of early Friday morning, more than 126,000 customers in Georgia, 16,072 in South Carolina, and 14,262 in North Carolina were without power.
Flash flooding emerged as a significant concern in western North Carolina, where 6-10 inches of rain had already fallen, prompting a Flash Flood Emergency in Haywood County.
Emergency Officials Warn Residents to ‘Take Cover Now’
Florida’s emergency officials have urged residents to shelter in place as the storm continued to unleash its wrath across the state.
First responders are on standby, with more than 1,000 personnel prepared to enter the most impacted areas once conditions permit.
Florida State Fire Marshal and Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis expressed concerns over those who ignored evacuation orders, especially in low-lying areas like St. George Island, where about 70 individuals decided to remain in their homes despite the evacuation advisory.
“This stubbornness is going to lead to some number of loss of life,” Patronis stated. He highlighted the potential for complacency to set in for individuals who previously survived hurricanes like Idalia and Michael.
“This storm is different,” Patronis said. “It’s going to hit fast and leave damage.”
Helene’s Impact Spreads Across the Southeast
Helene’s destructive path did not end at the Florida coast. The storm’s high speed and massive size mean that it will continue to wreak havoc across the Southeast, with hurricane-force gusts likely to impact areas far inland.
Early Friday morning, parts of Georgia experienced wind gusts of up to 100 mph in Alma and 88 mph in Valdosta. In Florida, Perry recorded a 99-mph gust, while St. Petersburg and Sarasota saw gusts of 82 mph and 74 mph, respectively.
As Helene races northward at 24 mph, emergency officials warn of more damage and potential fatalities.
The system has now been downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane but remains a significant threat as it pushes further inland, bringing torrential rains and powerful winds to the western Carolinas.
Authorities Respond to Rising Fatalities
In addition to the three confirmed deaths, including one in Florida and two in Georgia due to a mobile home incident during a Tornado Warning, authorities are bracing for more fatalities as the storm continues its path of destruction.
Rescues are underway along the Big Bend to Southwest Florida, where flooding has submerged entire neighborhoods.
Governor DeSantis has urged residents to stay off the roads and remain sheltered until the storm passes.
“Now is not the time to be going out,” he warned during a press conference in Tallahassee.
“These are very dangerous conditions.”
What Comes Next
As Hurricane Helene moves further north, its impact will be felt for days to come.
Flash flooding and power outages are expected to continue across the Southeast, with recovery efforts likely to be extensive and challenging.
Emergency services are working around the clock to restore power and provide aid to affected communities.
Residents are being asked to cooperate with authorities and stay informed through official channels as the situation evolves.