AUTHOR : LLOYD MAHACHI

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday, unleashing catastrophic flooding and destruction across the southeastern United States. The storm has claimed at least 43 lives and left millions without power. Rescue efforts are ongoing, with officials using boats, helicopters, and large vehicles to help those stranded in floodwaters.

Hurricane Helene was the most powerful storm on record to hit Florida’s Big Bend, and its impact has been widespread. The storm surge reached over 15ft above ground level across parts of the Florida coast, with flash flooding and high winds reported in several areas. Insurers estimate the damage could run into billions of dollars.

The National Hurricane Center reported that Helene, which had been a category four storm, came ashore on Thursday night and remained a hurricane for six hours after making landfall. Although it has weakened significantly, forecasters warn that high winds, flooding, and the threat of tornadoes could continue. Up to 20in of rain is still possible in some areas.

At least eight people have died in Florida, including five in Pinellas County, while Georgia reported 15 fatalities, including a first responder. South Carolina saw 17 deaths, and North Carolina reported two fatalities. One person died in Virginia. Across the southeast, over three million homes and businesses are without power.

Rescue efforts have been ongoing, with first responders using helicopters, boats, and large vehicles to help people stranded in flooded homes. In North Carolina, over 100 rescues have taken place. In Tennessee, 58 patients and staff were airlifted from the roof of a flooded hospital. Guests at a Ramada Inn in Manatee County were also rescued as floodwaters rushed into the hotel.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp have declared states of emergency. Kemp ordered 1,000 National Guard troops to assist with rescue efforts. Officials are urging residents to remain vigilant, warning that the effects of the storm are “not over yet.”

The southeastern US is bracing for further storms, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warning of up to 25 named storms in 2024. Hurricane season officially ends on November 30.

The storm’s sheer size, spanning 420 miles, has resulted in widespread destruction across Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. Residents have shared harrowing accounts of swimming out of their homes to safety, with one family describing how they had to swim out of their home on Holmes Beach.

FEMA Deputy Administrator Erik Hooks emphasized the importance of listening to local officials, stating, “Just because the storm has passed where you are doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re safe to leave your home.”

EDITED BY : JOSEPHINE MAHACHI