Hurricane Helen has hit several states in the southeastern part of the United States. At least 43 people were killed. Many people were injured. In addition, millions of people are without electricity due to the storm. BBC news.
Helen hit the coast of Big Bend, Florida around 11pm local time on Thursday. At that time, the wind speed in that area was 140 miles per hour.
According to reports, thousands of trees and power poles were uprooted in Big Bend and surrounding areas due to this storm of devastating speed. Many houses were damaged. Roads are submerged in water. Hurricane Helen, which originated in the Atlantic Ocean, was named a ‘Category 4’ hurricane by the United States Weather Service.
After making landfall at Big Bend, Helen moved toward Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. At this time, the speed of the storm also decreased. Helen became a normal monsoon storm late Friday afternoon.
Helen’s effects brought heavy rain, strong winds, and flash flooding to parts of Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and most of South Carolina.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said 13 people were killed in his state as Helen hit. Georgia Governor Brian Camp said in a statement that 15 people were killed in his state. A rescue worker of the Disaster Management Department was also among the dead.
The highest number of deaths occurred in South Carolina. 17 people were reported dead across the state as a result of Helen. Besides, 2 more people were killed in the neighboring state of North Carolina.
More than 150 roads in Georgia have been closed due to flooding and inclement weather. Thousands of people are trapped in apartment buildings in different cities due to waterlogging. Brian Kemp said 1,000 members of the National Guard branch of the US Army have been deployed to rescue them and move them to a safe place.