Hurricane Helene slammed into the northwest Florida coast as Category 4 storm, bringing with it 140 mph winds and intense rain that had already resulted in widespread flooding that extended north into Georgia and had killed 22 at this report.
The National Weather Service had warned of unsurvivable storm surges all along the Gulf Coast of Florida.
In addition to the reported fatalities, multiple news reports indicated 4.4 million utility customers from Florida to Virginia were without power as of Friday morning.
About 60 of the state’s 73 public school districts were closed at least on Thursday in preparation for Helene’s landfall, which occurred at approximately 11 p.m. local time that evening, with many also closed on Friday.
For example, Citrus County School District announced it would close Thursday and Friday, and Lake County Schools were advised to close on Thursday. All Lake-Sumter campuses were closed, as well as all Marion County Public Schools and Polk County Schools.
The Florida Department of Education posted a full list of school closures on its website.
Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency on Wednesday for 61 of Florida’s 67 counties as Helene intensified to a hurricane on its path toward the state, according to the National Hurricane Center. DeSantis also activated the Florida National Guard and Florida State Guard.
The Georgia Department of Education recommended all school districts in the Peach State dismiss early on Thursday and to remain closed Friday.
According to local news reports, Helene is the strongest hurricane to hit Florida so far this year, with strong winds hitting Florida’s Panhandle on Thursday morning. Helene made landfall not far from where Hurricane Idalia did last August.
A map from the National Hurricane Center showed Helene moving north through Florida on Thursday night.
The Florida Highway Patrol closed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, after winds reached 60 mph. Mandatory evacuations from were issued as winds and flooding intensified.
Approximately 40 people were removed from rising water along the US19 corridor with assistance of the Pasco County Fire Rescue said the Pasco County Sheriff in a statement. The heavy rainfall resulted in urban and river flooding as well as landslides in the Southeast. Citrus County Sheriff told local news reporters emergency crews conducted more than 100 water rescues as storm surge from Helene stands at around 10 feet.
The hurricane weaken to a tropical storm as it made its way into Georgia and the eastern Carolinas as well as Tennessee. But winds remained at 45 mph. Rainfall was reported at 1- to 2-inches per hour. Flash floods hit northern Georgia, especially in the Atlanta area, as well as southeast South Carolina and southeast North Carolina. Tornados were also possible. Flash flood warnings were expected extend to the Washington, D.C. area, St. Louis, Missouri to Mobile, Alabama.
This is a developing story. STN will update as more information becomes available.
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