Fears of Deaths, Destruction Rises as Category 4 Storm Helene Slams Florida

Hurricane Helene struck Florida with sustained winds of around 130 mph (209 kph), categorizing it as a powerful Category 4 storm, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Before making landfall, Helene caused significant flooding along the Gulf Coast and left over 1 million customers in Florida without power.

Officials urged residents in the storm's path to evacuate, warning of life-threatening conditions. Michael Brennan, director of the NHC, said in a video briefing that storm surges could reach up to 20 feet (6.1 meters) in certain areas, capable of destroying structures and sweeping vehicles inland.

“A really unsurvivable scenario is going to play out,” Brennan stated, emphasizing the potential devastation in coastal regions.

The storm brought strong rain bands across Florida and beyond, with heavy rainfall impacting parts of Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Atlanta, located hundreds of miles from Florida’s Big Bend, was under a tropical storm warning.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed one fatality related to the storm but did not provide additional details.

In Pinellas County, located between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, roads were submerged before midday. Officials cautioned that Helene’s impact could rival that of last year’s Hurricane Idalia, which flooded 1,500 homes in the area.

Videos shared on the county's social media platforms showed beachside roads underwater and docks being overtaken by rising water.

Airports in Tampa, Tallahassee, and St. Petersburg suspended operations on Thursday.

Forecasters expect Helene to retain hurricane strength as it moves toward Macon, Georgia, potentially bringing up to 12 inches (30.5 cm) of rain, which could damage cotton and pecan crops during harvest season.

"The current forecast for Hurricane Helene suggests this storm will impact every part of our state," Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said.

Helene is predicted to slow over the Tennessee Valley by Friday and Saturday, according to the NHC.

In Florida's Big Bend region, storm surges were expected to reach between 15 to 20 feet (4.6 to 6.1 meters), posing a serious threat to coastal communities.

Evacuations were ordered in several areas, including Sarasota and Charlotte counties along Florida’s Gulf Coast.

However, some residents chose to stay behind. Ken Wood, a 58-year-old ferry operator in coastal Dunedin, Florida, said he planned to ride out the storm with his 16-year-old cat, Andy, despite evacuation orders.

“We’re under orders, but I’m going to stay right here at the house,” Wood told Reuters by phone. “The storm looks like it’ll be a bit west of us, but who knows? I’m sure it’ll be interesting, to say the least.”

In Taylor County, the Sheriff’s Department advised residents who chose not to evacuate to write their names and birthdates on their arms in case they lost their lives during the hurricane.

Preliminary estimates from reinsurance broker Gallagher Re suggest private insurance losses could reach between $3 billion and $6 billion, with federal insurance losses potentially adding another $1 billion.

Energy facilities along the US Gulf Coast scaled back operations and evacuated some production sites as a precaution.

Deanne Criswell, the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said during a White House briefing that she would visit Florida on Friday to assess the storm’s damage.

The NHC warned that Helene could drop as much as 15 inches (38.1 cm) of rain in some areas, leading to significant flash and urban flooding.

“You need to prepare for prolonged power outages. Those trees are going to come down in strong winds, block roads,” NHC Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said.