Storm Helene batters Florida leaving millions without power
27 September 2024 • 5:26pm
More than four million Americans have been left without power after Hurricane Helene pummeled five states with heavy rain and strong winds.
Numerous people lost their lives as the storm devastated an area of 800 square miles, triggering power outages in two Georgia hospitals and causing a dam to overflow in North Carolina. Mudslides were also triggered in the mountains of Appalachia.
Helene, the seventh strongest hurricane to hit Florida, made landfall in the eastern state as a category four hurricane. However, it weakened to a tropical storm as it moved more inland over Georgia, the National Hurricane Center said.
At least 19 people have been killed so far, with seven deaths in Florida, 11 in Georgia and one in North Carolina.
President Joe Biden said: “As we mourn the lives of those who were taken by this storm, I urge folks to heed the direction of local officials and take every precaution to keep themselves and their families safe.”