Hurricane Helen The hurricane swept through Florida and Georgia in darkness on Friday, one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States, killing at least four people, flooding communities and knocking out power to more than 3 million homes and businesses.
The Category 4 storm hit the Big Bend, Florida, area at 11:10 p.m. ET, causing chaos such as overturned boats in the harbor, downed trees, stranded cars and flooded streets.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis confirmed a driver was killed when his car was struck by debris and warned the death toll could rise. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said on Sunday that a tornado struck Wheeler County during the storm, killing two people; in Blackshear, Georgia, the ABC News affiliate reported that A firefighter was killed when his vehicle was crushed by a falling tree.
More than 4 million homes and businesses were without power in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and other states in the southeastern United States, according to tracking website Poweroutage.us. Police and firefighters conducted hundreds of water rescues across states, including as far north as Atlanta, where an apartment building had to be evacuated due to flooding.
Helen brought 140 mph (225 kph) winds to Florida as it made landfall, but weakened to Category 1 winds as it entered Georgia early Friday morning. As of 5 a.m., the still-strong storm had sustained maximum winds of 70 mph (113 kph) and was expected to continue moving north toward the Tennessee Valley.
Life-threatening storm surges, high winds and heavy rains continue, National Hurricane Center explain. this National Weather Service Flash flood warnings were issued Friday morning for several counties in Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina.
A resident of Cedar Key, a picturesque island in a bay off the coast of Big Bend, Florida, told CNN that he and about 50 other residents decided to ride out the storm.
The National Weather Service said storm surge from Helen was causing entire mobile homes to move in the coastal community of Stanhatchee, where water levels reached about 10 feet late Thursday.
Airport updates
- Key West and Florida Keys Marathon The international airport is open and operational. Passengers are advised to contact their airline to learn about possible delays.
- Tampa International Airport Operations resumed Friday morning as the region recovers from damage from Helen.
- St. Peters-Clearwater International Airport Announcing plans to reopen on Friday morning, passengers are advised to contact their airlines.
- orlando international airport Operations began Friday morning at airports along Florida’s southeast coast, including Miami, fort lauderdale and palm beach.
- jacksonville international airport Open, but some flights have been cancelled.
- Tallahassee International Airport It reopens on Friday morning and the first scheduled flight will depart today (27 September 2024) at 1:15 pm.
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport and South Carolina’s greenville national airport Full operations will resume on Friday morning and passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines.
- Some flights canceled or delayed nashville international airport (BNA) Helen continues to impact Middle Tennessee Friday morning.
In addition to airport announcements, anyone with travel plans to Florida should check with their hotel about possible changes in status. Meanwhile, in Orlando, walt disney world Helen has resumed normal operations following its transit; parts of the park were closed Thursday due to unsafe conditions.
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