Tropical Storm Helene, downgraded from a Category 4 hurricane, is moving north through Georgia, bringing life-threatening conditions with strong winds and heavy rain. As of 5 a.m. ET, it was 40 miles east of Macon with 70 mph winds. Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region at 11:10 p.m., causing widespread damage and power outages for over 2.5 million people across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Storm surges up to 10 feet, flash floods, and tornadoes have been reported, leading to multiple fatalities and extensive rescue operations.
Emergency services are dealing with severe flooding, especially in Georgia and parts of the Carolinas, where officials declared flash flood emergencies. In Florida, a driver was killed in Tampa by a falling sign, while in Georgia, tornadoes and falling trees caused several deaths, including a firefighter. Damage assessments are still ongoing, but recovery may take weeks as FEMA is now deploying resources across the affected region
