Hurricane Helene kills 64 people as millions left without power after catastrophic storm: Live updates
The Nolichucky dam that runs near Greenville, Tennessee, remains intact despite concerns over its imminent collapse
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
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.
Video shows Atlanta firefighters make heroic water rescue
Helene damages historic Georgia buildings
Multiple historic buildings have partially collapsed in downtown Valdosta.
Major North Carolina highway is washed out from Helene
Sections of North Carolina’s I-40 are washed out following impacts from Tropical Depression Helene.
Helene becomes a post-tropical cyclone - but historic impacts continue in southern Appalachians
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
In Sarasota, Florida alligators have been spotted swimming through streets amid flooding.
Coast Guard officials release footage of Florida rescue of man and his dog
Several injured after North Carolina tornado tears through city
Four people were critically injured and numerous others sustained minor injuries after a tornado touched down in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.
Officials said three buildings received significant damage. Images and video posted to social media showed the remains of buildings scattered around city blocks.
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
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
Images from Florida’s Pinellas County show just how destructive water can be.
US mobilizes more than 1500 federal personnel to support impacted communities, VP says
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.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments