Florida, Sep 28 (V7N) – Hurricane Helen has wreaked havoc across several southeastern states in the United States, leaving at least 46 people dead and plunging over 4.6 million residents into darkness. The devastating storm made landfall in Big Bend, Florida, on Thursday night with maximum sustained winds of 140 miles per hour.

According to ABC News, Helen is the 14th strongest hurricane to hit the U.S., stretching 420 miles (675 km) in length, making it the third largest in recent history, following Hurricane Ida in 2017 and Opal in 1996, both of which were larger in size.

The U.S. National Weather Service classified Helen as a Category 4 hurricane due to the extensive destruction it has caused. Experts predict that the damage could run into billions of dollars, with insurance companies and financial institutions estimating significant losses.

In Big Bend and surrounding areas, the storm uprooted trees and power poles, destroyed homes, submerged roads, and left many communities isolated. Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina experienced intense rain, high winds, and flash flooding.

Rescue teams, using boats, helicopters, and large vehicles, are working tirelessly to evacuate those trapped in flooded areas.

After hitting Big Bend, Helen weakened to a tropical storm by Friday afternoon, with wind speeds dropping to between 35 and 55 kilometers per hour as it moved through Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed that at least 13 people have died in the state, while Georgia Governor Brian Kemp reported 15 deaths, including a rescue worker from the Disaster Management Department. In Pinellas County, Florida, five deaths were confirmed by local sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

The situation is dire in South Carolina, where CBS News reported 17 fatalities. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper stated that two people had died, and 15 others sustained serious injuries as 11 buildings were heavily damaged.

Flooding has also closed more than 150 roads in Georgia, leaving thousands stranded in waterlogged buildings. Georgia’s National Guard has deployed 1,000 troops to assist with rescue operations.

As of Friday, over 3 million homes and businesses in South Carolina were without power, according to tracking site PowerOutage.us.

Emergency services remain on high alert, with local and federal authorities continuing rescue and recovery efforts in the affected regions.

END/RH/AJ