Storm Helene, which began as a Category 4 hurricane, has left a trail of destruction across multiple southern states, killing at least 55 people.
The storm’s weakening to a post-tropical cyclone did little to reduce its impact as it ravaged Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia with record storm surges, tornadoes, and heavy rainfall, with many areas experiencing devastation and fatalities not seen in decades, as the Daily Mail reports.
One of the hardest-hit areas is Tennessee, where the overworked Nolichucky Dam has raised concerns of potential failure.
The dam experienced water flow rates exceeding 30,000 cubic feet per second, prompting a flash flood warning for multiple counties, including Cocke, Greene, and Hamblen.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is monitoring the situation closely, reporting that water levels are currently dropping by approximately one foot per hour.
The storm's wide-reaching effects have been felt across several states, causing both structural damage and tragic loss of life.
In South Carolina, 19 people were killed, including two firefighters. Georgia saw 15 deaths, two of which were linked to a deadly tornado in Alamo. Florida experienced 11 fatalities, with multiple drownings reported in Pinellas County.
In North Carolina, six people lost their lives, including a four-year-old girl. The storm even claimed a life in Virginia, where a resident of Craig County was killed when a chicken coop was hurled through the air by high winds.
The severe flooding and damage across the region have prompted widespread evacuations. Thousands of residents in Tennessee were impacted by the potential dam failure, while more than 100 rescue operations were carried out in Asheville, North Carolina, as the area saw significant flooding.
Concerns continue to grow over the Nolichucky Dam in Tennessee, as rising waters tested the structure’s integrity. TVA teams are actively assessing the dam’s condition. "Water is currently receding by approximately one foot per hour," the authority reported, adding that the river reached an elevation 8 feet above the record levels.
In addition to the threat of dam failure, the region is dealing with significant disruptions to daily life. More than 5,800 people were affected by flooding in Tennessee, including residents and students in two schools that had to be evacuated. The storm's aftermath left 3.5 million people without power across 10 states.
The Nolichucky Dam situation remains precarious, with residents anxiously awaiting further updates. Emergency teams are on high alert as they work to prevent further devastation.
Communities along Florida’s west coast bore the brunt of Helene's initial landfall, as storm surges of up to 7 feet caused massive flooding. Cities such as Treasure Island saw boats washed ashore, and in Horseshoe Beach and Cedar Key, entire houses were uprooted and destroyed by the floodwaters.
Cedar Key resident Michael Bobbitt described the devastation, stating, "Cedar Key as we know it is completely gone. Entire houses have been picked up and moved away."
In North Carolina, Governor Roy Cooper called Helene "one of the worst storms in modern history." The state's mountainous regions, including Asheville, were particularly hard hit, with roads becoming impassable and residents forced to comply with temporary curfews for safety. First responders conducted rescue operations throughout the night.
The response to the disaster has been swift, but the scale of the damage means recovery will be a long-term effort. David Jones of the South Carolina Highway Patrol praised the dedication of first responders, remarking, "These first responders put their life on the line every day to go out and protect the citizens that they serve."
Helene’s devastation comes on the heels of another destructive storm, Hurricane Debby, which struck less than two months earlier and caused $28 billion in damages. The cumulative effect of these storms has placed immense strain on the region's infrastructure and emergency services.
Thousands of roads have been closed across North Carolina due to flooding, while damaged power lines and infrastructure continue to hamper rescue and recovery efforts. As the cleanup begins, the toll from Helene is expected to grow, with assessments of the full damage still underway.
The forecast predicts that Helene will dissipate as it moves through the Tennessee Valley, but the damage it has left behind will take months, if not years, to fully address. In the meantime, local officials are urging residents to remain cautious as floodwaters recede and emergency teams continue their work.
