Photo: Chandan Khanna/AFP/Getty Images
On Thursday evening, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region as a massive Category 4 storm with winds reaching 140 mph. As the system made its way across the southeastern portion of the United States, it left widespread flooding, power outages, and mass destruction in its wake.
Watch the moment Helene knocks out power as the storm lashes Perry, Florida, with wind and rain. Stream live: https://t.co/EAfvm950sr @TWCChrisWarren pic.twitter.com/DsHhu6e8Nb
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) September 27, 2024
CNN reports that as of Monday morning, at least 115 people are dead across six states with that tally expected to rise as search and rescue operations continue. Officials in Buncombe County, North Carolina, one of the hardest hit areas that includes the city of Asheville, said that at least 35 people were killed as a result of Helene, with more than 600 still unaccounted for as of Monday morning.
Aerial footage captures the extensive flooding in Asheville, North Carolina, as Helene submerged buildings. pic.twitter.com/15R89vWTvf
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) September 28, 2024
Went to help in the Lake Lure/Chimney Rock area today, and it’s hard to describe – never seen anything like this. Post apocalyptic. It’s so overwhelming you don’t even know how to fathom what recovery looks like, let alone where to start. Going to be a long path to recovery that… pic.twitter.com/HnyxwyQB76
— Tariq Scott Bokhari (@FinTechInnov8r) September 29, 2024
Devastating drone video from @AaronRigsbyOSC of the damage in Chimney Rock, North Carolina, following Helene. #NCwx pic.twitter.com/DPfAsKh8II
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) September 30, 2024
In Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp announced that the state’s death toll had risen to 25 people by Monday morning, the loss of life ranging from a mother and her two young sons to a local firefighter. “This storm literally spared no one,” he said, per NBC News.
A road bridge collapsed into a river in Afton, Tennessee, as the remnants of Helene caused widespread flooding across several states.
Video shows the moment the Kisner Bridge on Highway 107 collapsed into the Nolichucky River.
Read more: https://t.co/C73y5nqqBD pic.twitter.com/uwIbYFpgTF
— ABC News (@ABC) September 28, 2024
Helicopter footage shows the extensive flooding caused by Helene in Northeast Tennessee on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/9mTCusxqef
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) September 29, 2024
Over the weekend, President Joe Biden issued emergency-disaster declarations for the Carolinas, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia as the states continue to grapple with the remnants and aftereffects of Helene. The president indicated that he plans to travel to the affected areas on Wednesday or Thursday in order to avoid disrupting emergency services. “It’s not just a catastrophic storm. It’s a historic, history-making storm,” Biden said speaking from the White House Monday.
Heartbreaking scene as catastrophic storm surge leaves Horseshoe Beach, Florida destroyed. Almost every house sustained damage. @MyRadarWX #Hurricane #Helene pic.twitter.com/LcfXADRnEB
— Jordan Hall (@JordanHallWX) September 27, 2024
UPDATE: More than 50 individuals have been safely evacuated from the Unicoi County Hospital.
This video is from a TEMA District Coordinator who responded to the initial evacuation request Friday morning. pic.twitter.com/hHrheYUfoh
— Tennessee Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) (@TennesseeEMA) September 27, 2024
