Hurricane Helene slammed into Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday, bringing catastrophic storm surges which have destoyed buildings.
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) warned of unprecedented levels of flooding, with surges potentially reaching as high as 20 feet above ground in some areas.
The storm surge, driven by Helene’s powerful winds, has engulfed entire neighborhoods, leaving many homes underwater and even washing some away.
User @WeatherNation posted a video on X showing the flooding in Cedar Key, which reaches almost to the ceiling of buildings.
User @AaronRigsbyOSC posted a video on X of a house washing away in Steinhatchee, Florida.
Meanwhile, Tampa General Hospital constructed a massive fence to withstand up to 15 feet of surge, protecting the hospital on a night when a large number of people will likely need it.
Speaking at a Thursday night press conference, Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed one person had already died.
“When Floridians wake up tomorrow morning, we’re going to be waking up to a state where very likely there’s been additional loss of life, and certainly there’s going to be loss of property,” DeSantis said late Thursday. “You’re going to have people that are going to lose their homes because of this storm, and so please keep those folks in mind. Keep them in your prayers.”
The relentless storm has already shattered storm surge records across the Tampa Bay area, leaving homes submerged and thousands of residents evacuated.
In Clearwater, one of the hardest-hit regions, water levels surged to a record 8.6 feet, eclipsing the previous high of 6.8 feet. Similarly, in East Bay, levels peaked at 7.3 feet, surpassing the old record of 6.7 feet.
Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via AP
Other areas like St. Petersburg and Port Manatee have also reported devastating surges exceeding six feet, with flooding expected to worsen as the storm continues its destructive path.
Helene made landfall with sustained winds of 140 mph, battering northern Florida and southern Georgia with hurricane-force winds.
The NHC warned that these dangerous winds would continue to spread inland throughout the night, impacting large portions of the Southeast, including the southern Appalachians.
Power outages are expected to be widespread and could last for days, if not longer, in some areas.
Authorities are urging residents to prepare for extended periods without electricity and to exercise extreme caution when using generators to avoid deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
The risk of catastrophic flooding extends beyond Florida.
Flash floods and significant urban flooding are expected in parts of Georgia, the Carolinas, and the southern Appalachian region.
Landslides triggered by heavy rain pose an additional threat to the higher elevations of the Appalachians. The NHC has predicted widespread river flooding throughout the Southeast, with some rivers expected to reach major flood levels by Friday.
