Hurricane Helene, a formidable Category 4 storm, made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region on Thursday night, bringing with it catastrophic storm surges and high winds.
The storm, which initially hit near Perry, Florida, has since moved inland at a rapid pace, affecting multiple states across the Southeast. According to CNN, as of 5 a.m. ET, Helene had been downgraded to a tropical storm with winds of 70 mph and was located 40 miles from its previous position.
The Biden-Harris Administration had anticipated the multi-state impact of this massive and dangerous storm, approving pre-landfall emergency declarations for Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. These declarations enabled FEMA to mobilize federal resources for emergency protective measures, including evacuations and sheltering.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell emphasized the severity of the situation, urging residents to heed local officials' warnings: "People in Hurricane Helene's path need to take this seriously. Listen to your state and local elected officials. If they tell you to evacuate, evacuate."
In Georgia, the storm has already caused major damage, with reports of three fatalities and numerous water rescues, particularly in the Buckhead area of Atlanta. The storm surge inundated homes in Bradenton, Florida, and a driver in Tampa was killed when a sign fell onto their car. As Helene continues to move eastward towards Athens, Georgia, it has weakened to a tropical storm but still poses a threat with potential flash flooding and high winds.
FEMA has deployed over 1,100 personnel, including Urban Search and Rescue Teams, Coast Guard units, and power restoration teams from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, to support response efforts across the affected regions. An additional 700 FEMA team members were already in place from previous events. The American Red Cross has also set up shelters to assist those needing to evacuate.
Residents are advised to stay informed through local radio or television stations and to have multiple ways to receive alerts. Safety tips include using flashlights instead of candles during power outages, keeping important documents safe, and avoiding floodwaters. The mantra "Turn Around. Don’t Drown™" is crucial, as driving through flooded areas can be extremely hazardous.
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