Hurricane Helene live: At least nine dead as 10ft storm surge hits Florida and flash flood emergency in Georgia
Death toll continues to rise after Helene slammed into Florida’s coast as a Category 4 hurricane, marking one of the most powerful storms to strike US in recent memory
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 nine people have died after Hurricane Helene crashed into Florida as a Category 4 storm, pounding the west coast with “unsurvivable” conditions.
Helene has since been downgraded to a tropical storm but is still packing “life-threatening” conditions as it plows across the county with a flash flood emergency issued for metro Atlanta and as far north as Kentucky’s Appalachia on high alert for heavy rains and landslides.
Hurricane-force wind gusts were still occurring Friday in parts of Georgia and the Carolinas and very heavy rainfall was ongoing for much of the US Southeast, causing historic and life-threatening flooding.
As the sun came up in Florida, the damage was widespread and catastrophic. Storm surge has left some homes underwater to the roofline, and boats were smashed together like bath toys in marinas. Downed trees, powerlines and other debris were making navigating roadways treacherous for emergency responders
Around 4 million people were without power from Florida up the east coast to Virgina.
The hurricane hit the state’s Big Bend region just after 11pm local time on Thursday with 140mph winds and 10ft storm surge.
Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed two fatalities in Florida. A driver was killed when a sign fell onto their car in Tampa. Two others died in Wheeler County, Georgia, after their trailer crashed on a highway. Two people died when tree fells on houses Friday morning in Anderson, South Carolina. In North Carolina, a person was also killed by a falling tree in Charlotte.
Mapped: Charting Hurricane Helene’s path as catastrophic storm makes landfall
ISS orbits above Hurricane Helene as storm approaches Florida with 120mph winds
Hurricane Helene: Closed airports and hundreds of flights cancelled could leave holidaymakers stranded
CCTV shows cars driving across Tampa bridge as 130mph winds and dangerous waves from Hurricane Helena crash onto road
Body cam footage from Florida’s Lee County shows Fort Myers Beach man’s rescue
Tampa Fire Rescue crews fight residential fire, working in floodwaters
The City of Tampa Fire Rescue crews worked amid flooding from Hurricane Helene to fight a fire at a large residential structure in South Tampa.
There were no reported injuries in the blaze and its cause remains under investigation.
Watch: Roads become rivers after Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida
Cars trek across Tampa bridge as its pummelled by huge waves and 130mph winds
Cars drive across Tampa bridge as huge waves from Hurricane Helena crash onto road
Cars were seen driving across the Howard Frankland Bridge in Tampa Bay on Thursday 26 September, as Hurricane Helene waves lashed the roadway. Helene roared ashore Florida’s Big Bend region as one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States, with officials fearing the storm would leave a trail of deaths and widespread destruction as it moved inland. At least one fatality is blamed on the hurricane so far, authorities said, as the Category 4 storm made landfall around 11:10pm Eastern time. Even before its arrival, the storm had caused power outages for over 1 million people and severe flooding in several areas.
Airports closed and hundreds of flights cancelled potentially leaving holidaymakers stranded
Airports remain closed and hundreds of flights have been cancelled across the southeastern US as “life-threatening” Hurricane Helene moves north across Florida and into Georgia.
At 8am UK time (3am Eastern Daylight Time), the National Hurricane Center said: “Helene continues to produce hurricane force winds that are moving further into Georgia.
“This is an dangerous and life-threatening situation. Persons should not leave their shelters and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions.”
The Independent’s travel expert Simon Calder has the full story.
Hurricane Helene: Closed airports and cancelled flights could hit holidaymakers
Tampa airport in Florida will only reopen ‘following a damage assessment that will begin as soon as it is safe to do so’
Georgia Governor gives update in wake of Helene making landfall
Just in: At least five dead in wake of devastating Hurricane Helene
Another two deaths have been reported in Georgia following Helene making landfall, bringing the total death toll up to five across Southeastern US, with more expected across the morning.
On Friday, County Emergency Management Agency Director Bill Laird said one person died after a tree fell on a house and another died in a car crash.
It comes hours after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed that at least one was person was killed in the Tampa area after a traffic sign fell on a vehicle.
A further two people were killed in Wheeler County, Georgia after their trailer was picked up by the tornado and dragged across Highway 19 before landing in a field, according to County EMA Director Steve Adams.
Moment Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida
Watch live: Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida as catastrophic Category 4 storm
Live: Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida as catastrophic Category 4 storm
Watch live from Clearwater, Florida, on Friday 27 September after Hurricane Helene roared ashore the state's Big Bend region as one of the most powerful storms to hit the United States.
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