Hurricane Helene has weakened to a tropical storm as it moves inland over Georgia, bringing life-threatening storm surge, winds, and heavy rains. More than 1.28 million homes and businesses in Florida were without power. The storm has produced hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall, with wind gusts up to 77 mph reported in Georgia. President Biden is closely tracking the storm and urging residents to follow evacuation warnings.
The storm surge from Helene is expected to be as high as 20ft in Florida, prompting emergency declarations in several states along the East Coast. Helene is one of the largest hurricanes in size, affecting areas far inland that are not typically hit by such storms. At least three people have died, including two in Georgia caught in a tornado related to the storm.
NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station recorded footage of Hurricane Helene, showing the storm’s growth in size and intensity before landfall. The storm is compared to Hurricane Idalia, which struck Florida last year and caused significant damage. The NHC warns of dangerous conditions in Georgia and the Carolinas due to strong gusts and potential flash floods.
With areas far inland being affected by Helene, the entire state of Florida was under storm watches or warnings, and a state of emergency was declared in 61 counties. North Carolina’s governor warned of significant flooding risks, even in areas that do not typically experience it. The storm has caused widespread power outages and damage, with officials fearing a high death toll and significant economic impact.
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