At Least 43 Dead as Hurricane Helene Batters Southeast US

Hurricane Helene has left at least 43 people dead and millions without power across the southeastern United States as rescue efforts continue in the wake of one of the most powerful storms to ever hit the region. The storm made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday night, before sweeping north into Georgia and the Carolinas, causing widespread devastation.

Rescue teams have been working around the clock, using helicopters, boats, and large vehicles to reach those stranded by floodwaters. In Tennessee, approximately 50 patients and staff members were rescued from the roof of a flooded hospital after swift-moving waters from the Nolichucky River cut off access.

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) reported storm surges of over 15 feet in some coastal areas of Florida, with damage costs expected to run into the billions. High winds and heavy rain, with up to 20 inches in some places, have caused extensive flooding, downed trees, and destroyed homes.

In Florida, at least eight people have died, including five in Pinellas County. The storm has also claimed lives in Georgia, where at least 15 people perished, including a first responder. Suspected tornadoes caused by the storm in Georgia left further destruction, killing two people and injuring several others.

Virginia has also reported one fatality, bringing the death toll across the region to 43. Meanwhile, more than three million homes and businesses remain without power as recovery efforts continue.

Despite the storm weakening as it moves north, authorities warn that the risk of flooding and landslides persists in several areas. Rescue operations are ongoing, and officials are urging people to remain vigilant in the face of continuing danger.