Hurricane Helene Brings Widespread Destruction and Loss of Life to Southeastern United States

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region as a Category 4 hurricane, causing widespread destruction and at least one confirmed fatality. The storm knocked out power to over 1 million customers and triggered life-threatening storm surges of up to 20 feet. As it moved through Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee, Helene weakened into a tropical storm, but continued to cause significant damage, including uprooted trees, blown-off roofs, and historic flooding in the southern Appalachians. The storm's maximum sustained winds reached 140 mph, and it left a trail of destruction across four states, with at least 35 reported deaths. Dozens of people were still trapped in damaged buildings, and first responders were working to reach stranded communities.