### Helene Ravages Southeastern US, Leaving Death and Devastation in Its Wake

Helene, the formidable category 4 hurricane, has wreaked havoc across four southeastern US states, leading to the deaths of at least 33 individuals and causing over 4 million power outages due to severe flooding. The storm's powerful impact was felt after it made landfall in northwestern Florida late Thursday, with winds reaching up to 140mph. As the hurricane moved inland, it weakened to a tropical storm and further to a depression by the time it reached Georgia and the Carolinas on Friday.

South Carolina was particularly hard-hit, with 13 fatalities reported, including two firefighters. The Post and Courier newspaper cited that Governor Henry McMaster confirmed these numbers. Georgia also faced significant losses, with 11 deaths, among them one first responder, as confirmed by Governor Brian Kemp. In Florida, the storm accounted for seven deaths, five of which occurred in Pinellas County, while North Carolina reported two deaths, with most linked to falling trees.

Critical infrastructure also suffered immensely. In various regions, the threat of dam failures prompted urgent evacuations. Officials in Rutherford County, North Carolina, issued an immediate evacuation notice due to an imminent failure of the Lake Lure Dam. Simultaneously, the Walters Dam in Cocke County suffered a catastrophic collapse, leading Mayor Rob Mathis to call for immediate evacuations.

The storm left millions without electricity. Florida reported about 1.1 million outages, which later decreased to 838,000. South Carolina experienced 1.2 million outages, Georgia had about 960,000, and North Carolina saw 913,000. Large areas of Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia were also affected by power outages.

Helene's landfall occurred at around 11:10 PM in Florida’s Big Bend area, characterized by its fishing villages and vacation spots. Videos shared on social media depicted horrifying scenes of rain lashing and winds dismantling buildings. Some areas, like Perry, Florida, saw homes flipped over by the storm's force. The National Hurricane Center indicated that the storm surge in parts of Florida reached over 15 feet above normal levels.

The destruction was widespread, particularly in Steinhatchee and Tampa Bay in Florida, with storm surges of about 10 feet. Governor Ron DeSantis warned that the death toll might rise as thorough damage assessments are completed but credited the state's rescue operations for minimizing casualties.

Warnings of potential hazards, such as submerged live electric wires and sharp objects, were issued to prevent residents from wading into floodwaters. Georgia’s Governor Kemp emphasized the dangerous conditions post-storm, recognizing the sacrifice of one of their first responders in the rescue efforts.

In Georgia, cities like Valdosta experienced severe damage, with residents like Rhonda Bell recounting how an oak tree crashed through their century-old home's roof. Beyond Florida and Georgia, North Carolina recorded up to 10 inches of rainfall, with officials predicting further flooding as the weakened storm moved through Tennessee and Kentucky.

Notable rescue operations occurred in Tennessee, where 50 patients and staff at Unicoi County Hospital were airlifted from the roof after floodwaters isolated the building. Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina highlighted the storm's historic severity, expressing the collective heaviness felt across the state's communities.

With hurricane conditions expected far from the Florida-Georgia line, Georgia opened parks to evacuees, while imposing overnight curfews to maintain public safety. Some counties extended these curfews to ensure residents stayed safe from lingering hazards.

Helene previously impacted Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula and was the ninth major hurricane to strike the US Gulf Coast since 2017, a pattern experts link to climate change. Texas meteorologist Matt Lanza's comments on social media echoed the growing consensus on the changing climate.

As the Atlantic hurricane season continues until November 30, Helene's devastation serves as a stark reminder of the increased frequency and intensity of these natural disasters.