Hurricane Helene Kills 43, Leaves Millions Without Power Across Southeastern US

At least 43 people have lost their lives and millions remain without power as Hurricane Helene tore through the southeastern United States on Friday.

Helene, the most powerful storm on record to strike Florida’s Big Bend, made landfall on Thursday night before pushing north into Georgia and the Carolinas. Though the hurricane has significantly weakened, forecasters continue to warn of dangerous conditions, including high winds, flooding, and potential tornadoes.

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On Friday, roads and homes were submerged, with some families forced to swim to safety. One family recounted to BBC News how they escaped their flooded home. Insurers estimate the storm’s damage could reach billions of dollars.

After making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane, Helene remained a hurricane for six hours, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported a storm surge of over 15 feet (4.5 meters) along parts of the Florida coast, which began to subside on Friday. However, threats from high winds, flooding, and possible landslides remain, with some areas still expected to receive up to 20 inches (50 cm) of rain.

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Helene ranks as the 14th most powerful hurricane to hit the U.S. since record-keeping began, spanning approximately 420 miles (675 km) in width. It is surpassed in size only by Hurricane Ida in 2017 and Hurricane Opal in 1996, both measuring 460 miles wide.

The massive storm’s impact has been felt across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas. In Florida alone, at least eight people have died since Friday, including five in Pinellas County, according to Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

The deaths included a person killed when a road sign fell on their car and another when a tree collapsed on a home, as reported by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

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