Hurricane Helene live: At least 37 dead as North Carolina town forced to evacuate after dam ‘compromised’
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
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North Carolina emergency management officials urgently warned residents below the Lake Lure dam to evacuate on Friday due to ‘imminent failure’ - but later said the dam was holding.
The dam’s structural supports have been comprimised, and evacuations were underway.
Earlier in the day, the county had posted on Facebook in all caps to warn residents: “RESIDENTS BELOW THE LAKE LURE DAM NEED TO EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY!!DAM FAILURE IMMINIENT!! EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY!!”
But after that, Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Kat Russell told The Associated Press that there was no indication Rutherford County’s Lake Lure Dam was was about to fail amid impacts from Tropical Depression Helene.
At least 37 people have died after Helene crashed into Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, pounding the west coast with “unsurvivable” conditions.
Helene has since been downgraded to a tropical depression 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 15ft storm surge.
Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed two fatalities in Florida. A driver was killed when a sign fell onto their car in Tampa. There were five other deaths reported by the Sheriff’s Office in Pinellas County.
A total of 11 people died in Georgia, including two in Wheeler County; they were killed after their trailer crashed on a highway. One person was an emergency responder.
At least 17 deaths were reported in South Carolina. Two people in Anderson County died when tree fells on houses Friday morning. At least four others died overnight in Aiken County. North Carolina saw two deaths, including a person also killed by a falling tree in Charlotte.
The storm is forecast to weaken, and Helene will become extratropical later Friday afternoon.
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Helene weakens to tropical storm as tracks through Georgia
Helene has been downgraded to a tropical storm as it continuesato move inland over Georgia, with sustained winds of about 70mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its latest public advisory.
Life-threatening storm surge, strong winds and heavy rains will continue across the state.
It comes after Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane late on Thursday, with wind speeds reaching 140mph.
The death toll currently stands at three, with a clearer picture of the devastation in the Sunshine State to unfold this morning.
‘Do not leave your shelters,’ National Hurricane Center warns Georgia residents
The National Hurricane Center has urged Georgia residents in the path of Helene to “not leave their shelters” due to “life-threatening” conditions across the state.
“Helene continues to produce hurricane force winds that are moving further into Georgia,” the NHC said in its latest statement.
“This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation. Persons should not leave their shelters and remain in place through the passage of these life-threatening conditions.
“When in the eye, people are reminded to not venture out in the relative calm, as hazardous winds will increase very quickly when the center passes.”
Two killed as tornado drags trailer across highway as Helene hurtles through Georgia
Two people have died after a tornado broke out in Wheeler County, Georgia, officials confirmed late on Thursday evening.
An unnamed male and female were killed after their trailer was picked up by the tornado and dragged across Highway 19 before landing in a field, according to Wheeler County Emergency Management Agency Director Steve Adams.
Two vehicles were also hit by the trailer, although is not clear whether more injuries were sustained.
The tornado was from the impacts of Hurricane Helene.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp took to X to lament the loss of the two deceased early on Friday morning.
“Marty, the girls, and I are saddened to learn of the loss of two lives in Wheeler County this evening,” he wrote.
“As we join their families in mourning their deaths, we urge all Georgians to brace for further impact from Helene, remain vigilant, and pray for all those affected.”
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