Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend as a Category 4 storm on Thursday and has now moved far inland, causing “historic and catastrophic flooding” in the southern Appalachians as it progresses through Tennessee and Kentucky. The storm has weakened to a post-tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds of 35 mph, but heavy rain is still falling in the central and southern Appalachians, with total accumulations of up to 20 inches in some areas. Flash flood emergencies are in effect for about 1.1 million people in upstate South Carolina, western North Carolina, parts of Virginia, and Tennessee, with rivers expected to continue rising due to the heavy rainfall. Tornadoes are also possible in southern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina.
Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in Asheville and McDowell counties in North Carolina due to the expected swelling of rivers and reservoirs from the heavy rainfall. Multiple schools in Kentucky and Indiana were closed on Friday as well. Helene is expected to stall over the Tennessee Valley over the weekend, further exacerbating the flooding in the region. The storm has caused significant power outages across the Southeast, with more than 4 million people without electricity in states like North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, West Virginia, and Ohio.
Officials in North Carolina have warned of the imminent failure of the Lake Lure Dam, urging residents to evacuate and seek higher ground. The Rutherford County Emergency Management agency has reported “catastrophic” water flow in the area surrounding the dam. The impact of Hurricane Helene on airlines has also been significant, with hundreds of flights being canceled or delayed at airports like Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport, and Asheville Regional Airport. The storm also prompted the closure of Tampa International Airport, but operations resumed on Friday morning with no significant damage reported.
Helene is the eighth named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, following Hurricane Francine which made landfall as a Category 2 storm in Louisiana earlier in September. Forecasters had predicted a busy storm season with up to 25 named storms and 13 hurricanes, but the season has not been as active as initially forecasted. The impact of Hurricane Helene serves as a reminder of the unpredictability and destructive power of these natural disasters, highlighting the importance of preparedness and response efforts in vulnerable areas. As the remnants of Hurricane Helene continue to impact the region, residents are urged to stay informed and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.
