Hurricane Helene, one of the most powerful storms to hit the U.S., made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday night, bringing deadly winds and widespread destruction.
At Least Three People Dead
The Category 4 storm, packing winds of 140 mph (225 km/h), has already claimed at least three lives — one in Florida and two in Georgia — according to CNN.
Helene hit Florida at 11:10 p.m. local time, causing severe flooding and extensive power outages. More than 1.5 million people across Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina have lost electricity, with Florida being the hardest hit, according to Ziare.
The hurricane's force led to massive storm surges, with water levels reaching up to 20 feet (6 meters) inland in some areas. Heavy rainfall is expected to exacerbate flooding, with water levels rising to over 8 feet (2.5 meters).
State of Emergency
As Helene moves inland, it has weakened to a Category 2 storm, with sustained winds of 110 mph (177 km/h). However, the National Hurricane Center has warned that "catastrophic winds" are still a danger, especially in southern Georgia, and residents should not leave their shelters.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis urged residents to evacuate high-risk areas and assured that emergency personnel are ready to respond.
“We cannot control the storm’s path or strength, but we can control our response,” DeSantis stated, according to El economista.
President Joe Biden has declared a state of emergency for Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and the Carolinas, ensuring federal assistance.
Helene rapidly intensified due to the unusually warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. It is now the 14th strongest hurricane to ever hit the U.S. and the 7th most powerful to strike Florida,
