Nearly 4 million Americans were without power yesterday as storm Helene ravaged eastern U.S. states, leaving a devastating trail of destruction and nearly 50 fatalities. Authorities reported massive flooding and widespread damage, with rescue operations underway in multiple states after the powerful storm made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane.
Emergency crews have been working tirelessly since Helene hit Florida with 140 mph winds, flooding homes, roads, and businesses across its path. As of yesterday morning, power had been restored in some areas, but according to the tracking site PowerOutage.us, millions of customers across 10 states remained in the dark. The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned that Helene, now downgraded to a post-tropical cyclone, was still causing “catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding” across the region.
Evacuations continued overnight as rising floodwaters threatened dams in North Carolina and Tennessee. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued an urgent warning about the potential failure of a dam in eastern Tennessee, advising residents to move to higher ground immediately.
Western North Carolina, particularly Asheville, faced record-breaking river flooding, with Governor Ray Cooper calling it “one of the worst storms in modern history” for the region. In Rutherford County, officials expressed concerns about the stability of the Lake Lure Dam, though by late Friday, they indicated failure was not imminent. Communities like Chimney Rock were severely affected, with images showing uprooted trees, collapsed buildings, and thick mud covering streets.
Florida was among the hardest-hit states, with 11 confirmed deaths. Governor Ron DeSantis said the damage caused by Helene exceeded that of previous hurricanes Idalia and Debby, which struck the same region within the past 13 months. In Cedar Key, a small island city off Florida’s coast, entire neighborhoods were destroyed by storm surges and fierce winds.
Other states also suffered heavy casualties, including South Carolina, where at least 20 people died, and Georgia, where 15 fatalities were confirmed. In Tennessee, 50 patients and hospital staff were dramatically rescued from a rooftop in the town of Erwin as floodwaters surged around the building.
President Joe Biden offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and vowed to continue supporting rescue and recovery efforts. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reported conducting over 600 rescues, with 1,500 federal personnel deployed to assist impacted communities.
Experts warn that Helene’s rapid intensification was fueled by unusually warm ocean waters, a phenomenon increasingly linked to climate change. As recovery efforts continue, authorities remain vigilant, warning that the storm’s full impact is still unfolding.