### Hurricane Helene Leaves Trail of Devastation in Southeastern U.S.

At least 30 fatalities have been confirmed across the Southeastern United States as a result of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall Thursday night as a Category 4 storm. By Friday, more than 4.6 million individuals were without electricity in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.

Initially hitting Florida's Big Bend region, Helene brought winds reaching 140 mph and caused life-threatening storm surges up to 15 feet high in various areas. The storm's impact was particularly devastating along Florida's coast, where record surge levels were observed in the Tampa region.

Flooding has been widespread, prompting a flash flood emergency in Atlanta. In North Carolina, rising rivers led to mandatory evacuations in several areas. The National Weather Service issued a mandatory evacuation for residents near Lake Lure Dam in Rutherford County, N.C., warning of its potential "imminent" failure.

As a weakened tropical depression, Helene is predicted to turn northwest and slow its pace over the Tennessee Valley by later today and Saturday, according to forecasters.