See the Path of Storm Helene After Weather Event Leaves Trail of Destruction in Florida

Helene made landfall in Florida late Thursday as a Category 4 hurricane. It quickly weakened back to a tropical storm, but not before causing major disruption.

As the storm pummeled Florida’s Big Bend—the region where the Florida panhandle transitions to the Florida peninsula—the “dangerous” storm surge was so high, it caused mobile homes to move, the National Weather Service reported. There was also heavy flooding in certain areas, and millions of people have been left without power Friday morning, according to PowerOutage.us. 

In Pinellas County, 911 call volumes on Thursday night were “extremely high,” as many phoned for help evacuating their homes during the storm surge, per  the Pinellas County Department of Emergency Management.

Multiple deaths have been reported, at least two of which were in Florida. In a press conference Friday morning, Florida Governor Ron Desantis said, “We did report there was a traffic fatality last night. We also, this morning, can report that there has been another fatality reported in Dixie County due to a tree falling on a home.”  

Another two casualties were confirmed in Georgia after a tornado touched down in Wheeler County. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp sent his condolences via a post shared on X (formerly Twitter). “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,” he said.

As of 8 a.m. EST Friday, Helene is now a tropical storm and is expected to continue weakening as it moves through the southeastern United States. Still, “damaging wind gusts” can still be expected across the region and into Appalachia, according to the National Hurricane Center (NHC).

Per the NHC: “Helene is moving toward the north near 30 m.p.h. (48 km/h). Helene is expected to turn northwestward and slow down over the Tennessee Valley later on Friday and on Saturday.”

Though all hurricane warnings have been suspended, tropical storm warnings remain for coastal areas in Georgia, from the “Altamaha Sound northward to Little River Inlet,” and storm surge warnings remain for Tampa Bay and certain coastal areas of Florida. 

“Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions,” the NHC warned. “Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.”

Prior to Helene’s landfall, the NHC predicted that “a catastrophic and deadly storm surge is likely along portions of the Florida Big Bend Coast, where inundation could reach as high as 20 feet above ground level, along with destructive waves.” The damage of the storm surge is still being counted on Friday morning. Life-threatening flash flooding is also to be expected throughout the southern Appalacians on Friday. 

Before Florida Helene wreaked havoc on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, where it flooded streets and toppled trees before passing northwards, according to the Associated Press. The storm has also pummeled the Caribbean: Cuba saw waves as high as 15 feet on its Cortes Bay Coast and the Cayman Islands were forced to close down schools as residents rode out the storm. 

Prior to landfall, DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 41 counties on Monday, and increased the executive order to include 61 of the state’s 67 counties on Tuesday morning.

DeSantis urged residents to take the time to adequately prepare before the storm makes landfall—by taking precautions such as filling gas tanks and stocking up on water and non-perishable foods in case of a power outage. “We are going to see significant impact no matter what happens,” said DeSantis.

Ahead of Helene approaching Georgia, Governor Brian Kemp also issued a state of emergency on Sept. 25, stating: “We are not taking anything for granted, which is why I have directed appropriate state agencies to work around the clock to ensure we're prepared for whatever is heading our way.”