At least 64 people have died as a result of Hurricane Helene, which has caused billions of dollars worth of damage as it rips across a wide swath of the southeastern US.
In a Saturday update on Helene, the National Hurricane Center said that “catastrophic and historic flooding” would continue over portions of the Southern Appalachians, though the risk for additional heavy rainfall was continuing to decrease.
The storm, now classified a post-tropical cyclone, is expected to hover over the Tennessee Valley on Saturday and into Sunday, the NHC added. Millions have been left without power after power lines and cell towers were damaged.
Among the people killed in the storm were three firefighters, a woman and her 1-month-old twins, and an 89-year-old woman whose house was struck by a falling tree, according to an Associated Press tally.
Helene blew ashore in Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane late Thursday packing winds of 140mph and then quickly moved through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, splintering homes and sending creeks and rivers over their banks and straining dams.
Preliminarily estimates put the total damage and economic loss from Helene at between $95bn and $110bn, according to AccuWeather.
Key Points
- Death toll from Helene reaches 52 - reports
- NHC issues final advisory on Helene
- More than 4 million homes and businesses left without power
- Alligators spotted swimming through Florida streets
House fire during Hurricane Helene
Saturday 28 September 2024 23:10
Mike Bedigan
Deaths across 5 states in the wake of Helene
Saturday 28 September 2024 22:50
Mike Bedigan
Over 50 storm-related deaths have been reported across the states of South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Virginia.
- At least 19 are dead in South Carolina, including two firefighters in Saluda County, according to state officials.
- In Georgia, at least 17 people have died, two of them killed by a tornado in Alamo, according to a spokesperson for Governor Brian Kemp.
- Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Saturday morning raised the number of confirmed dead there to 11, including several people who drowned in Pinellas County.
- Six more deaths were reported in North Carolina including from a car wreck on a storm-slick road that killed a 4-year-old girl.
- In Craig County, Virginia, one person died in a storm-related tree fall and building collapse, according to Governor Glenn Youngkin.
North Carolina village turned into ‘a road to nowhere’ by floods
Saturday 28 September 2024 22:30
Mike Bedigan
Chimney Rock village is devastated. It is now “a road to nowhere.” pic.twitter.com/ptBamNJURx
— Nikolias Goninus (@nikoliasgoninus) September 27, 2024
Images show North Carolina rescues as Helene bears down on the state
Saturday 28 September 2024 22:10
Mike Bedigan
Images show North Carolina rescue efforts as Helene bears down on the state.
Tennessee dam break no longer imminent
Saturday 28 September 2024 21:50
Mike Bedigan
The Nolichucky dam that runs near Greenville, Tennessee, is no longer in danger of imminent collapse, authorities have said.
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Morristown, Tennessee, extended the flash flood warning for towns and cities immediately below the dam on the Nolichucky River until 4 pm ET on Saturday, as dam operators had reported “excessive water flow” over the dam.
The dam had been facing potential imminent breach but no longer is, the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency announced at a noon news conference.
The agency worked with Tennessee Valley Authority “to confirm that the Nolichucky is not in that state anymore and that we have no dam failures that are reported at the moment,” TEMA Chief of Staff Alex Pellom said.
Students struggling to leave area at UNC Asheville
Saturday 28 September 2024 21:30
Mike Bedigan
I made it out of Asheville. The entire area has no cell service, no power, no water, no sewer. I tried several times to make it off campus, but neighborhoods are blocked by power lines, trees, and flood waters. UNC Asheville has not been communicating well with students. #ncwx pic.twitter.com/hZvNzxXMM5
— Andrew Price (@andrewprice0311) September 28, 2024
Bulldog Alert - The University remains at Condition 2 - suspended operations.
— UncAvl (@UncAvl) September 27, 2024
Campus is currently without power and internet. Water and other utilities are still intact. Shelter in buildings. Do not go outside.
For more information, visit https://t.co/RH223OqhIi pic.twitter.com/1RRh28EOJh
Georgia ‘every available resource’ to victims in Helene aftermath
Saturday 28 September 2024 21:10
Mike Bedigan
Today @GAFirstLady, the girls, and I joined state and local leaders to assess Helene’s destruction in the Lowndes County area. We’re deploying every available resource to affected areas across this state, and we thank you for your patience as we work to recover. pic.twitter.com/WATegsWVGq
— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) September 28, 2024
Watch: Families rescued from Helene's floodwaters
Saturday 28 September 2024 20:50
Mike Bedigan
Insurers could pay $5B to cover losses from Helene
Saturday 28 September 2024 20:30
Mike Bedigan
Insurance data provider A.M. Best on Friday estimated that insurers will pay $5 billion or more to cover losses from Hurricane Helene.
A.M. Best said insurers paid $2.5 billion to $4 billion in losses for Hurricane Idalia last year, and it expects losses from Helene to be more severe.
Biden calls devastation caused by Helene ‘overwhelming'
Saturday 28 September 2024 20:10
Mike Bedigan
In a post on X, president Joe Biden call devastation in the wake of in Hurricane Helene “overwhelming.”
“Jill and I continue to pray for all of those who have lost loved ones and for everyone impacted by this storm.” Biden wrote.
“Early this morning, I approved Tennessee’s emergency declaration and my Administration continues to surge response personnel as the storm tracks north. Our focus is on life-saving and life-sustaining response efforts in the Southeast – and I continue to be briefed by my team which is coordinating recovery efforts with state and local officials.
“My Administration has been with the people of Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee since before Helene made landfall. And we’ll be on the ground with them helping them recover long after this storm has passed.”
The devastation we're witnessing in Hurricane Helene's wake has been overwhelming. Jill and I continue to pray for all of those who have lost loved ones and for everyone impacted by this storm.
— President Biden (@POTUS) September 28, 2024
Early this morning, I approved Tennessee's emergency declaration and my…
In pictures: Helene causes devastation in Florida
Saturday 28 September 2024 19:30
Mike Bedigan
Climate change likely increasing hurricanes’ intensity
Saturday 28 September 2024 18:30
Mike Bedigan
The proportion of hurricanes that fall into the more intense Categories 4 and 5 are expected to increase as the planet heats up, according to the most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the United Nations' climate science authority.
“These hurricanes are getting bigger and stronger and that is due to simple energy transfer,” said Claudia Benitez-Nelson, a climate scientist at the University of South Carolina.
This is expected to continue and worsen as the planet heats up.
Benitez-Nelson also noted that climate change is causing hurricanes to intensify more quickly, potentially giving people less time to prepare.
It comes after Helene went from a Category 1 storm to a Category 4 in less than a day amid unusually warm ocean temperatures.
Damage caused by Hurricane Helene could be up to $110 billion
Saturday 28 September 2024 17:30
Mike Bedigan
Preliminarily estimates put the total damage and economic loss from Hurricane Helene at between $95 billion and $110 billion, according to AccuWeather.
Helene is expected to be one of the costliest storms in US history because of the devastating storm surge, damaging winds and historic flooding.
In particular, the forecaster noted, the widespread storm surge impacts along the populated west coast of Florida, such as Tampa Bay, as well as the historic, catastrophic flooding disaster in the Appalachians are significant contributing factors to the estimate.
Over 400 roads in North Carolina remain closed
Saturday 28 September 2024 17:10
Mike Bedigan
As of this morning, over 400 roads remain closed in NC. All roads in Western NC should be considered closed.
— NCDOT (@NCDOT) September 28, 2024
Remember: As crews work to clear and inspect roads and bridges, please give them room.
Go to https://t.co/AGDVnBcrXk for the latest road information. pic.twitter.com/0XkeU3HErA
Concern over dam collapses in North Carolina and Tennessee
Saturday 28 September 2024 16:43
Mike Bedigan
Residents downstream of two dams on the North Carolina-Tennessee border were told to urgently evacuate after reports that the structures were at risk of failure due to flooding and deluges from Hurricane Helene.
The Waterville Dam in Tennessee, which sits across the state line from Newport, North Carolina, was declared a state of emergency. Residents in Newport, a town of 7,000 people, were ordered to get out on Friday afternoon.
Earlier on Friday in another part of North Carolina, Rutherford County emergency management officials warned residents below the Lake Lure dam to evacuate due to “imminent failure” - but later said the structure was holding.
North Carolina governor requests major disaster declaration
Saturday 28 September 2024 16:10
Mike Bedigan
On Friday, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper requested a Major Disaster Declaration from the federal government for North Carolina for 39 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians for federal public assistance and individual assistance in the aftermath of Helene.
The declaration will start the process for providing critical financial assistance to people and communities hit hard by the storm, the governor’s office said.
“Helene brought pain and destruction to our state and we’re working to get help to people quickly,” Cooper said in a statement. “As waters recede and winds die down, families and communities will need assistance to clean up and recover and this request can help speed up the process.”
Gov. Cooper has requested a Major Disaster Declaration for North Carolina for 39 counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.
— Governor Roy Cooper (@NC_Governor) September 28, 2024
https://t.co/qASExFnex2 pic.twitter.com/2UJsKO4AFX
Watch: Fox Weather reporter rescues Atlanta woman from Helene floodwaters
Saturday 28 September 2024 15:50
Mike Bedigan
More than 3,000 calls made to local 911 center in North Carolina
Saturday 28 September 2024 15:30
Mike Bedigan
Ryan Cole, the emergency services assistant director in Buncombe County, North Carolina, said his 911 center received more than 3,300 calls in eight hours Friday.
“This is something that we’re going to be dealing with for many days and weeks to come,” Cole told The Associated Press.
Forecasters warned of flooding in North Carolina that could be worse than anything seen in the past century. The Connecticut Army National Guard has sent a helicopter to help.
Flash flood warnings remain in place over three states
Saturday 28 September 2024 14:50
Mike Bedigan
On Saturday, parts of North Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia remain under flash flood emergencies.
Footage online showed devastation in the small towns of Lake Lure and Chimney Rock, in North Carolina, most of which was completely washed away by flooding.
TV reporter interrupts live broadcast to rescue trapped woman during Hurricane Helene
Saturday 28 September 2024 14:30
Mike Bedigan
A Fox meteorologist leaped into action during a live broadcast early Friday morning to rescue a woman trapped in her car amid the deadly Category 4 Hurricane Helene.
Bob Van Dillen was reporting from North Atlanta, Georgia — which has been gripped by flooding and massive gusts — when the woman could be heard frantically calling out for help from her submerged white car in his live shot.
Read the full story here:
First responder among those killed in Georgia
Saturday 28 September 2024 13:53
Michelle Del Rey
Vernon “Leon” Davis, the Blackshear Fire Department’s assistant chief, died when a tree fell on his city truck shortly before 1.30 am Friday, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Video shows Atlanta firefighters make heroic water rescue
Saturday 28 September 2024 12:53
Michelle Del Rey
Helene damages historic Georgia buildings
Saturday 28 September 2024 11:53
Michelle Del Rey
Multiple historic buildings have partially collapsed in downtown Valdosta.
STORM DAMAGE IN VALDOSTA: Multiple historic buildings have partially collapsed in downtown Valdosta, Georgia after #HurricaneHelene passed through overnight. One of the most significant that we’ve seen is Chez What furniture & antique store. @FOX5Atlanta pic.twitter.com/FTvMxO1FsD
— Billy Heath III (@BillyHeathFOX5) September 27, 2024
Major North Carolina highway is washed out from Helene
Saturday 28 September 2024 10:53
Michelle Del Rey
Sections of North Carolina’s I-40 are washed out following impacts from Tropical Depression Helene.
I-40 west of Asheville is now confirmed washed out too. All major highways into the region are now closed or destroyed. https://t.co/DHGUSN87Fr
— Peter Forister (@forecaster25) September 27, 2024
Helene becomes a post-tropical cyclone - but historic impacts continue in southern Appalachians
Saturday 28 September 2024 08:53
Michelle Del Rey
4 pm CDT Key Messages for Post-Tropical Cyclone #Helene. Please be safe in the aftermath of Helene, including practicing safe generator use and avoiding downed power lines and flooded areas.https://t.co/Q5259XW8Vh pic.twitter.com/tMIL8nFb8M
— National Hurricane Center (@NHC_Atlantic) September 27, 2024
Helene has been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, but severe the National Hurricane Center said historic and catastrophic impacts would continue through Saturday.
“Widespread serious river flooding is ongoing, some of which will be major to record breaking,” the agency wrote on X.
Alligators spotted swimming in Florida streets
Saturday 28 September 2024 07:53
Michelle Del Rey
In Sarasota, Florida alligators have been spotted swimming through streets amid flooding.
We got gators in the streets!! Hahaha #HurricaneHelene #Sarasota pic.twitter.com/GceyqzcY75
— MVP (@MVParr) September 26, 2024
Coast Guard officials release footage of Florida rescue of man and his dog
Saturday 28 September 2024 06:53
Michelle Del Rey
HEROIC RESCUE! The U.S. Coast Guard shared a video of their daring rescue of a man and his dog after their sailboat was disabled during Hurricane #Helene. Both are safe and in good health.
— John-Carlos Estrada ️ (@Mr_JCE) September 27, 2024
: AST2 Hudson, edited by Lt. Cmdr. Kellerman, AirSta Clearwater pic.twitter.com/aD5lpt8cxz
Several injured after North Carolina tornado tears through city
Saturday 28 September 2024 05:53
Michelle Del Rey
Four people were critically injured and numerous others sustained minor injuries after a tornado touched down in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Some of this damage is even more jarring from up above. These images are from Tiffany Boulevard in Rocky Mount just hours after a tornado touched down there. Photos are from Hunter Lilley. @WRAL pic.twitter.com/Yv3QEpA3zp
— WRAL Heidi Kirk (@heididkirk) September 27, 2024
Officials said three buildings received significant damage. Images and video posted to social media showed the remains of buildings scattered around city blocks.
We’re getting some of the first images of the tornado damage in Rocky Mount. This video is from Alpha Automotive on Wesleyan Blvd where we are hearing some of the worst damage is. We now have @WRAL crews on the ground. pic.twitter.com/Q6QzfoahMr
— WRAL Heidi Kirk (@heididkirk) September 27, 2024
Wow! Here's a quick time-lapse from a Rocky Mount, #NorthCarolina Live Cam just now as a (now) Observed #Tornado moves through. #ncwx @NWSRaleigh pic.twitter.com/Lcjsh7fiVN
— BirdingPeepWx (@BirdingPeepWx) September 27, 2024
The damage appeared to be concentrated on Wesleyan Boulevard and Tiffany Boulevard. An 18-wheel tractor-trailer truck also flipped over in that area, but the driver was not hurt.
With reporting from The Associated Press
NHC updates on Helene
Saturday 28 September 2024 15:51
Mike Bedigan
As of Saturday morning, Helene had been downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, according to the National Hurricane Center.
In a morning update, the NHC said widespread, significant river flooding was ongoing across the southern Appalachians, some of which were record-breaking. Conditions are predicted to continue to improve on Saturday, following the catastrophic flooding over the past two days, the center said.
It added that there was a possibility of long-duration power outages in portions of the southeast US and urged members of the public to exercise caution after the system passed, due to hazards including downed power lines and flooded areas.
Hurricane Helene surrounds Pinellas County cars with massive amounts of sand
Saturday 28 September 2024 04:53
Michelle Del Rey
Images from Florida’s Pinellas County show just how destructive water can be.
Sheriff joined Pinellas County Government for a press conference earlier this morning. Here are the highlights of what he shared. Deputies are still responding to 911 calls that came out overnight and supporting crews during the cleanup. pic.twitter.com/UHX7OJM0lF
— Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (@SheriffPinellas) September 27, 2024
Scenes from St. Pete Beach and Pass-a-grille Beach. #PinellasHelene pic.twitter.com/JktHYrXdKa
— Pinellas County Sheriff's Office (@SheriffPinellas) September 27, 2024
US mobilizes more than 1500 federal personnel to support impacted communities, VP says
Saturday 28 September 2024 03:59
Michelle Del Rey
Vice President Kamala Harris gives update on Hurricane Helene while at a news conference in Arizona.
“We have food, water, generators that are ready for deployment,” Harris said. “We are working to restore power to millions of people who currently are experiencing outages.”
Still, Harris said, destruction from the storm is not over. “The storm continues to be dangerous and deadly,” she said.
Harris gives an update on Hurricane Helene—more than 1,500 federal personnel are mobilized to support affected communities. pic.twitter.com/nvrlUbuslT
— CAP Action (@CAPAction) September 28, 2024
More than 150,000 people in Kentucky without power as storm hits
Saturday 28 September 2024 03:39
Michelle Del Rey
After hitting the East Coast on Thursday night, Hurricane Helene, now a post-tropical cyclone, made its way toward Kentucky, forcing thousands of residents there to lose power, according to poweroutage.us.
Wind gusts reached 50 to 60 mph and several residents across the state reported fallen trees and other damage, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. In Central Kentucky, two schools — Christ the King School and Lexington Catholic High School — sent students home early.
Governor Andy Beshear has declared a state of emergency in eight counties, including Boyd, Breathitt, Clark, Clay, Lee, Letcher, Magoffin and Wolfe. Four cities are also under a state of emergency. They are: Ashland, Catlettsburg, Clay City and Winchester.
TN Highway Patrol says flooding has washed away roads
Saturday 28 September 2024 03:26
Michelle Del Rey
Flooding has potentially put infrastructure at risk in East Tennessee, the agency confirmed in a X post.
“Please use extreme caution if you must travel,” the statement reads. “We stand with these communities and our partners as we continue to work together to get through this traumatic time.”
Severe flooding has washed away roadways and has possibly placed infrastructure at risk in East Tennessee. Please use extreme caution if you must travel. We stand with these communities and our partners as we continue to work together to get through this traumatic time. pic.twitter.com/4WB6ahEiuG
— TN Highway Patrol (@TNHighwayPatrol) September 27, 2024
Lake Lure dam in North Carolina continues to hold and is structurally stable
Saturday 28 September 2024 03:18
Michelle Del Rey
Olivia Stewman, the Lake Lure town manager, said a structural engineer found the dam in “stable condition,” despite reports it had been damaged earlier on Friday, NBC News reported. The dam lost power early Friday, but power has been restored.
Potable water service shut down in Pinellas County
Saturday 28 September 2024 02:49
Michelle Del Rey
Pinellas County Utilities will restrict potable water service on the barrier islands from John’s Pass south to Fort De Soto starting at 8pmdue to storm-related damages and flooding.
The county said the issue will pose a health and safety risk to all residents and businesses in the area for the next several days.
“We are asking any residents who have not yet evacuated to do so now,” the county said.
One person in Virginia has died from a falling tree
Saturday 28 September 2024 02:25
Michelle Del Rey
Governor Glenn Youngkin said one person in southwestern Virginia died after a tree fell and building collapsed in Craig County.
A dam near North Carolina-Tennessee border is not experiencing a ‘catastrophic failure'
Saturday 28 September 2024 02:13
Michelle Del Rey
Tennessee Emergency Management Agency is confirming the Walters Dam near Newport has not failed. Still, Cocke County residents are being ordered to evacuate.
Northeast Tennessee continues to be impacted by flooding. People living in a flood prone area should find higher ground, evacuate if they are told to, and stay informed of the evolving situation, the agency said.
Over 500,000 without power in Florida
Saturday 28 September 2024 01:33
Michelle Del Rey
Poweroutage.us is reporting 568,861 are without power in the sunshine state nearly 24 hours after Hurricane Helene made landfall.
Death toll in South Carolina rises to 19
Saturday 28 September 2024 01:12
Michelle Del Rey
Five people are reported dead in Spartanburg County.
Spartanburg County Corner Rusty Clevenger said he couldn’t remember another storm that had caused as many deaths as Helene, The Post and Courier reports.
