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At least five people have died in the wake of Helene making landfall in Florida as a devastating Category 4 hurricane, bringing “unsurvivable” conditions.
Helene hit Florida’s Big Bend region just after 11pm ET on Thursday packing winds of around 140 mph, the National Hurricane Center said. Wind speeds continued to fall across Friday morning, with Helene being downgraded to a tropical storm as it continues to plough through Georgia.
Since making landfall, the storm has caused “record” flooding across the Gulf Coast, leaving approximately 2.1 million homes and businesses across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas under blackout conditions on Friday. Apart from Florida, Alabama, and parts of the Carolinas are also at risk of flooding.
The first death was confirmed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, after a sign fell on a driver’s car in Tampa. A man and woman were reported dead in Wheeler County late on Thursday, Georgia, and a further two deaths were announced in Laurens County on Friday.
Helene’s size is massive compared to previous hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, and is one of the largest storms in breadth to hit the region in years, with only three bigger since 1988.
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
Fallen trees and power lines strewn across ‘nearly every road’
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office warned the fallen trees and downed power lines are littering “almost every road,” it said in a statement on Friday.
“Please stay off the roads until we let you know they are safe and clear!! Many trees down and power lines across almost every road,” it wrote on Facebook.
Helene reached the Taylor County coast at about 11:10pm as a Category 4 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center confirmed on Thursday night.
The Sheriff’s Office’s announcement comes hours after it made the morbid Facebook request asking for those who didn’t follow evacuation advice to write their personal details across their limbs for ID purposes.
Dramatic moment Coast Guard rescue man and dog after boat damage by Hurricane Helene
States set to be soaked by 20in rain causing ‘record’ floods and landslides
The National Hurricane Center has warned of record flooding and landslides due to torrential downpours across Southeastern US.
While Helene’s wind speeds are expected to continue slowing – with it being downgraded to a tropical storm on Friday morning – the NHC has warned of life-threatening storm surge which could still reach up to 10ft in parts of Florida.
Isolated rainfall of 20in could soak portions of the Southeastern US into the Southern Appalachians.
Heavy rains “will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant and record river flooding,” the NHC said.
Authorities make morbid request to those defying evacuation protocols
Taylor County urged residents who defied the county’s mandatory evacuation order to write identifying details on their arm or leg in permanent marker ahead of Hurricane Helene making landfall in Florida on Thursday evening.
Taylor County Sheriff’s Office’s Division of Emergency Management made the morbid request in a Facebook statement ahead of Helene making landfall.
“If you or someone you know chose not to evacuate, PLEASE write your, Name, birthday and important information on your arm or leg in A PERMANENT MARKER so that you can be identified and family notified,” the department wrote on Thursday evening.
Helene reached the coast near the small town of Perry, in Taylor County at around 11:10pm as a Category 4 hurricane, the National Hurricane Center confirmed on Thursday night.
One person was killed as sustained wind speeds topped out at 140 miles per hour, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed.
Tracking Helene: where is the storm heading?
Helene, which was downgraded from a Category 1 hurricane to a tropical storm on Friday morning, is currently charting a path through Georgia this morning.
It initially hit the Florida Gulf Coast late last night as a Category 4 hurricane, with the death toll currently standing at three.
The storm’s is expected to center over central northeaster Georgia before it is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley later today, the National Hurricane Center said.
‘Record-breaking’ flash flooding as landslide alert issued
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.
Source: independent.co.uk
