Favorable conditions led to the cyclone's gradual intensification,and it became a hurricane early on September25. More pronounced and rapid intensification ensued as Helene traversed the Gulf of Mexico the following day,reaching Category4 intensity on the evening of September26. Late on September26,Helene made landfall at peak intensity in the Big Bend region of Florida,near the city of Perry,with maximum sustained winds of 140mph (220km/h). Helene weakened as it moved quickly inland before degenerating to a post-tropical cyclone over Tennessee on September27. The storm then stalled over the state before dissipating on September29.
In advance of Helene's expected landfall,the governors of Florida and Georgia declared states of emergency due to the significant impacts expected,including very high storm surge along the coast and hurricane-force gusts as far inland as Atlanta. Hurricane warnings also extended further inland due to Helene's fast motion. The storm caused catastrophic rainfall-triggered flooding,particularly in western North Carolina,eastern Tennessee,and southwestern Virginia,alongside spawning numerous tornadoes. Over 200 deaths have been attributed to Helene,making it the deadliest hurricane to affect the United States since Hurricane Maria in 2017 and the deadliest to strike the continental United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.[4][2]
Meteorological history
Map plotting the storm's track and intensity,according to the Saffir–Simpson scale
On September17, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) highlighted the potential for tropical cyclogenesis in the western Caribbean Sea.[5] Conditions conducive for development of a tropical cyclone resulted from the interaction of the Central American gyre—a broad monsoon low pressure system—and the Madden–Julian Oscillation, which reinforced the large-scale cyclonic flow extending from the eastern Pacific Ocean to the western Caribbean Sea.[6] Several days later, on September22, a broad low-pressure area developed within the western Caribbean.[7] As the system traversed an environment conducive for tropical cyclone development,[8] showers and thunderstorms associated with the disturbance gradually consolidated.[9] Due to the system's imminent threat to land, it was designated Potential Tropical CycloneNine on September23.[10] The next day, Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters aircraft found that the system was producing flight-level winds of 52mph (84km/h) and had developed a better-defined center; the NHC accordingly upgraded the system to Tropical Storm Helene at 15:00UTC.[11] The system continued strengthening, with NOAA and Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters finding that Helene's maximum winds had increased to 80mph (130km/h). As a result, NHC upgraded the system to a hurricane by 15:00UTC on September25 as it entered the Gulf of Mexico while turning north. An upper-level trough to its west and a ridge of high pressure located off the Southeastern United States both served to steer the cyclone towards the U.S. Gulf Coast.[12] Helene was a very large system,[13] with the NHC noting in multiple forecast discussions that the forecast storm radii were "at the 90th percentile of hurricane size at similar latitudes".[14]
After remaining steady in intensity for a while due to its broad size and some entrainment of drier air to its west, Helene recovered quickly and began its rapid intensification early on the morning of September26–aided by low mid-level wind shear, high relative humidity values and sea surface temperatures (SSTs) exceeding 30°C (86°F) near the Loop Current— as an increasingly well-defined eye developed, reaching Category2 intensity at 12:00UTC.[15] Quickly strengthening, by 18:25UTC Helene was found to have become a major hurricane by Hurricane Hunters,[16] and four hours later, a Category4 hurricane.[17] The hurricane attained its peak intensity later that night with maximum sustained wind of 140mph (220km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 938 millibars (27.70inHg) at 3:10UTC on September 27 as it made landfall east of the center of the Aucilla River about 10 miles (16km) west-southwest of Perry, Florida,[18] becoming the strongest hurricane to strike Florida's Big Bend region.[19]
Rapid weakening occurred as the storm tracked inland, and by the time it reached Georgia at 05:00UTC the next day, it had weakened into a Category2 hurricane.[20] Weakening further, it became a tropical storm over east central Georgia a few hours later.[21]After a few hours, it weakened and became a tropical depression near the Kentucky-Tennessee border, NE of Cookeville, Tennessee.[22]. It rapidly became a post-tropical cyclone and eventually dissipated on September 29.
Preparations
Mexico
Tropical storm warnings were issued on September 24 for the eastern Yucatán Peninsula.[23] Parts of Quintana Roo and Yucatán were placed under a blue alert, indicating indirect impacts.[24] It was later raised to red alert, maximum danger.[25] Cruise ship arrivals in the former state's ports were canceled for September24 and 25.[26]Tren Maya was also closed.[27] On Isla Mujeres, two shelters were opened.[28] Evacuations were carried out in vulnerable areas.[29] Visitors of Isla Holbox were offered a ferry ride off the island at no cost.[30] Classes were suspended in Quintana Roo.[29]
Caribbean
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands were under a tropical storm warning on September24.[31] The Cayman Islands' Red Cross shelter opened in preparation for the storm;[31][32] nobody used it.[33]Sandbagging sites opened on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.[32] Due to the threat of heavy rainfall, schools in the Cayman Islands were closed on September23.[34]Charles Kirkconnell International Airport and Owen Roberts International Airport were closed ahead of Helene's arrival.[26] The Cayman Islands Regiment was deployed ahead of the system to help with the preparation and distribution of sandbags. Additionally, a small craft warning was issued for the islands on September23, with a marine advisory issued the next day.[35] The tropical storm warning was canceled the next day.[33]
Cuba
Tropical storm warnings and hurricane watches were issued for western Cuba.[23] Medical brigades were prepared for flood-prone areas;[36] as heavy rain began to fall, schools and ports were closed, and fishing boats were called in.[37] Due to adverse weather conditions caused by Helene, the Provincial Transport Company of Havana suspended ferry services in Regla. Additionally, the Maritime Administration of Cuba suspended navigation in the Gulf of Batabanó.[38]
United States
Amtrak modified or canceled several of its southeastern train routes between September27 — October1 because of the storm.[39]
Hurricane warnings were issued for the Big Bend area of Florida, with nearly all of Florida, except the westernmost part of the Florida panhandle, put under a tropical storm warning.[40] In addition, on the evening of September26, an extreme wind warning was issued for the east part of the Florida Panhandle,[41][42] the first since Hurricane Idalia. On September 23, GovernorRon DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 41 Florida counties.[43] The next day, this was expanded to 61 counties.[26] U.S. President Joe Biden authorized a federal disaster declaration for 61 counties across Florida.[44] Locally, Volusia County issued a state of emergency.[45] Several sandbagging sites opened up across the state.[46][47] On September24, several state parks were closed: four of them in Franklin County, two in Gulf County, and one in Gadsen County.[48]
On September24, Citrus County issues mandatory evacuations for zone A, which includes coastal areas in the communities of Crystal River and Homosassa. In Wakulla County, a mandatory evacuation for all residents and visitors, while in Hernando County, mandatory evacuations were ordered for anyone west of US 19 and all residents in coastal or low-lying areas and those living in manufactured homes.[26] Two prisons in Wakulla County holding a combined 2,500 inmates were not evacuated despite the evacuation order issued to residents.[61]Gulf County issued mandatory evacuations for all visitors. Elsewhere, in Charlotte County and Franklin County, mandatory evacuations were issued for barrier islands, low-lying and flood-prone areas, manufactured homes, and homes that did not meet building codes.[26] In Sarasota County, officials issued an evacuation order for Level A and manufactured home communities on September25.[62]
In addition, on the night of September26, an extreme wind warning was issued for portions of South Georgia, including Valdosta.[70] On September24, in preparation for Helene, officials in the counties of Bryan, Candler, and Chatham began mobilizing emergency response centers.[71]Colquitt, Thomas, and Decatur counties opened shelters.[72] That same day, GovernorBrian Kemp issued a state of emergency for Georgia since Helene was expected to track into the state.[73] In Thomas County, the Public Works Department began providing sandbags due to the storm.[74]
On September25, schools were closed in the counties of Bibb and Twiggs.[75] Many schools in the Atlanta metro area cancelled instruction for September26 and 27, such as Atlanta Public Schools, with some counties moving students and non-essential workers online.[67] Elsewhere, in Clayton County schools, indoor and outdoor athletic events were canceled.[76] The Cumberland Island National Seashore and Fort Pulaski National Monument closed on September25 in preparation for the hurricane.[77] The Atlanta Braves postponed the remaining two games in a series against the New York Mets to September30 in a doubleheader.[78] Curfews were implemented by several localities on September26.[79]Emory University moved classes online for September26 and 27.[80] Ahead of the storm, vice-presidential nominee JD Vance canceled two events on September26 for the 2024 Trump–Vance campaign scheduled in Macon and Flowery Branch.[81]
Some parts of Indiana and Ohio were placed under high wind warning or wind advisory alerts as a result of remnants of the hurricane producing wind speeds of at least 10–35mph (16–56km/h) as well as wind gusts up to 50mph (80km/h).[89][90]
In Alabama, Henry and Houston Counties were placed under a hurricane warning.[91] Several eastern counties were also placed under tropical storm warning.[92] Several school districts in Alabama either canceled school or released early in preparation for Helene.[93] A state of emergency was approved for the state by Joe Biden.[94] In Louisville, Kentucky, a music festival, Louder Than Life, canceled their Friday shows due to strong winds.[95]
Honduras experienced heavy rains as a result of the Central American gyre which preceded Helene.[97] As a result, the Goascorán River brought flooding to nearby communities located in low-lying areas through Valle and Choluteca departments, reaching a level over .48 feet (0.15m).[98] A state of emergency was issued in San Marcos de Colón, Choluteca, due to overall damage caused by the storm.[99] Near 30 homes were estimated to be affected in El Cubulero, Alianza, Valle. Due to high waves onshore, 120 families were affected in the coastal town of Marcovia, Choluteca; at least one home was destroyed. Heavy rainfall left communities isolated and 50 people sheltered in El Paraíso due to severe floods.[98]
Mexico
The impacts of both Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm John on Mexico on September25
The region around Cancún received 240 millimetres (9.4in) of rain.[27] Over 120,000 customers, 14% of all Comisión Federal de Electricidad customers, lost power in Quintana Roo.[100] Extreme flooding covering much of Isla Mujeres occurred.[100] The island also experienced wind gusts up to 69 miles per hour (111km/h).[101] Cancún and Cozumel saw very rough surf, breaking the seawall in Cozumel and increasing beach erosion in Cancún.[102] Flights at Cozumel International Airport were delayed while Cancún International Airport saw nearly 100 cancellations or delays.[100] Only minor delays occurred at Mérida Airport.[103] The companies most affected by Helene were Viva Aerobus, Volaris, and Aeromexico.[104] Trees fell and roofs were damaged across the Yucatán Peninsula.[103]
A gas explosion occurred in Cancún during Helene,[105] but no fatalities were reported in Mexico.[27]
Caribbean
A map highlighting areas affected by Hurricane Helene's tropical storm and hurricane-force wind fields
Cayman Islands
Over 10 inches (250mm) of rain fell onto the Cayman Islands.[106] Heavy rainfall and large waves began affecting the Cayman Islands on September24.[107] Roads in George Town were flooded as rainfall produced by the storm caused 14 power outages, affecting 118 customers across Grand Cayman.[33] The government began planning to buy land to aid in storm water management.[108] After Helene had passed, Grand Cayman was impacted by 5–7 foot (1.5–2.1m) waves on September26.[109]
Cuba
In Cuba, heavy rainfall occurred, with peak accumulations of 218.4mm (8.60in) recorded in Presa Herradura and 186.8mm (7.35in) in Palacios.[110] Elsewhere, Punta del Este and Isla de la Juventud received 101mm (4.0in), Paso Real de San Diego received 78mm (3.1in), Pinar del Río received 72mm (2.8in), and Isabel Rubio received 70mm (2.8in).[111] In Pinar del Río Province, 17 of the province's 24 reservoirs overflowed. Elsewhere, in El Palenque, road access was cut off due to flooding caused by Helene.[110] Helene's winds caused a failure in the power lines that feed the Guanito transmitter, causing most of the territory, especially San Juan and Martínez, Guane, Mantua, and Minas de Matahambre, to suffer blackouts.[112] Gale-force winds were recorded in the provinces of Isla de la Juventud and Pinar del Río.[113] In total, around 70,000 customers experienced power outages in Pinar del Rio, with another 160,000 residents affected in Artemisa.[114]
The Florida National Guard cleaning damage in Keaton Beach, Florida, following Helene.Hurricane Helene was one of the largest-diameter US Gulf Coast hurricanes. Although large size does not mean strength—which is based on sustained wind measurements—it may mean that more people are exposed to a storm's hazards.
Initial estimates guessed insured losses could reach US$3–6billion, according to reinsurance broker Gallagher Re.[127] with AM Best estimating more than US$5billion.[128] Later estimates by Moody's Analytics estimated that the damages could reach US$20–34billion.[129]AccuWeather estimated that the total damage and economic loss could cost anywhere from US$225–250billion.[130] At least fourmillion people have lost power, according to the Omaha Public Power District.[131] Agricultural damages are estimated at US$7 billion.[132]
By the morning of September26, 2024, thousands in the Tampa Bay Area were experiencing power outages.[134] Wind gusts reached 64mph (103km/h) in Fort Lauderdale and 67mph (108km/h) in Naples.[135] Storm surges in Steinhatchee reached 9.63 feet (2.94m).[136]Key West experienced storm surge of 1 to 3 feet (0.30 to 0.91m).[137] Storm surges reached 7.18 feet (2.19m) in Tampa.[138] About 1.3million people lost power in the state.[139] The Stan Gober Memorial Bridge shut down due to flooding, and all sporting events in Collier County on September27 were cancelled.[140]
Multiple Waffle Houses in Tallahassee and one in Crawfordville shut down, raising the Waffle House Index to red which indicates the possibility of severe damage to the restaurant.[141]Orlando International Airport, remaining open, saw 65 cancellations on September26, with 92 cancellations occurring at Miami International Airport.[142][143] The Central Florida Pipeline, which supplies fuel used for jet planes between Tampa and Orlando, was reported to be damaged as a result taking on saltwater during Helene.[144] The pipeline is the only direct source of new jet fuel to Orlando International Airport; the airport is instead relying on trucking in fuel and reserves[144] Several national parks experienced service disruptions due to the hurricane, with all services suspended at Dry Tortugas National Park due to storm surge.[145]
Seventeen fatalities have been reported in Florida, including at least eleven in Pinellas County;[146][147] two in Tampa involving a car accident where a sign fell on a car on I-4, along with an elderly woman who drowned inside her house; and one in Dixie County involving a tree falling on a home.[148][136][149][150] Of the deaths in Pinellas ten have been drownings and one was caused by an electrical fire that started after water rushed into a home.[147] The Taylor County Sheriff's office posted to social media asking for those who did not evacuate to write their birthday and other important information on their bodies in permanent marker and to email the similar information and their location to them to help search and rescue teams.[151]Pasco County's Sheriff rescued around 200 people in water emergencies.[152] In Citrus County, over 100 people and 50 pets were rescued after ten feet of storm surge hit the area.[153] In total, over 1,000 people had to be rescued in the Tampa Bay area.[154]
Following the storm surge, multiple buildings caught fire in Clearwater Beach.[155] According to Taylor County sheriff Wayne Padgett, 90% of homes in Keaton Beach were destroyed.[156] At least 24 businesses and 70 homes were also destroyed in Gulfport.[157] In Manatee County, 230,471 structures were affected, with residential damages estimated at $153.1 million, while commercial damages reached $2 million, with a combined total of $155.1 million.[158] In Bradenton, 194 homes and seven commercial buildings suffered major damages, with the damages estimated at $41 million total.[159]
Despite not directly affecting Volusia County, gale-force gusts downed several trees, with a peak of 53mph (85km/h) in the county. More than 9,000 residents were without power as of September27. In Edgewater, a carport blew over while a tree fell through the roof of a mobile home in the Sea Horse Mobile Home Park. A large tree fell into a duplex-style home through the roof in Seminole County, affected only by the storm's outer bands.[160] Seminole County saw 2,427 people without power, while neighboring Orange County saw 4,476 customers without power. In Apopka, the outer bands tore the roof off of a home.[161][162]
Elsewhere, in Flagler County, the highest gusts recorded were in Marineland, which had winds of 63mph (101km/h). Approximately 20,000 residents lost power from September26 and 27. A tree fell through a roof at home in Palm Coast, while in Palm Beach, a "small scarp" received a local surge of 18in (460mm).[163]
Georgia
Radar loop showing Hurricane Helene over Georgia
In Atlanta, the National Weather Service in Peachtree City issued the city's first-ever flash flood emergency due to Atlanta having its heaviest 3-day rainfall totals in 104 years.[164][165] Rainfall totals over 48 hours in the city reached 11.12in (282mm), the most the city has seen in 48 hours since recordkeeping began in 1878.[166] About 25 people had to be rescued from floods in Atlanta. Fox Weather meteorologist Bob Van Dillen was caught on live television saving a woman from her Toyota RAV4 with flood waters up to the windows.[167] Localized urban flooding was also reported on multiple interstates like I-285, I-85, I-75[168] and many other interstate systems encompassing Atlanta. More significant flooding occurred in Buckhead due to overflowing of the Peachtree Creek, which flooded multiple surrounding apartment complexes. Other flooding occurred in areas around Metro Atlanta.[169] The Chattahoochee River overflowed its banks in multiple areas around Fulton County, Georgia and in downstream counties which prompted a water rescue in Coweta County.[170] Three tornadoes were spawned by Helene in the state,[171][172] including one that killed two people in Wheeler County when it overturned their mobile home.[173] The Wheeler County tornado has not been rated yet, while the other two have been rated EF0.[174]
In Columbus, a daily rainfall record was set with around 4in (100mm) of rain on September 26. Wind gust in the city reached 38mph (61km/h), with gusts reaching 59mph (95km/h) in Macon and 80mph (130km/h) in Augusta.[166]Rabun County officials ordered the evacuation of people living below a dam at Lake Rabun after officials were forced to open a third floodgate, inundating several roads and trapping people in their communities in the southern part of the county. Four homes were destroyed by falling trees in White County and Habersham County, but no injuries were reported.[175] Rabun County's Emergency Management department many roads were left "impassable" by the storm and that most residents were without power into September27, urging them to stay home to allow rescue and cleanup personnel to work uninterrupted.[175] The Hiwassee River in Towns County crested at over ten feet (3.0m), just one foot (0.30m) below the record, and flooded pastures and parts of a campground, but campers were not reached.[176]
Over a million customers lost electric power in the state during Helene due to trees falling on power lines across the state and high wind speeds. There are over 400,000 people still without electricity as of September29.[177][178] At least 115 structures in Valdosta were heavily damaged.[179] Preliminary damage estimates according to governor Brian Kemp is at US$417 million.[121]
Helene would cause major damage to Georgia's poultry farms, causing damage or total destruction to 107 facilities.[180] Georgia and surrounding regions produce almost half of the 9 billion chicken consumed across the United States, and manure runoff from the damaged facilities would raise alarms about the quality of streams and groundwater.[180]
Injuries and deaths were reported throughout the state, including the two fatalities from the aforementioned tornado in Wheeler County.[173] Six people died in Richmond County from falling trees.[181] Four people, a mother and her twin infants and another individual, died in McDuffie County.[182][181] A person was killed in Colquitt County after their vehicle crashed into a fallen tree.[183] Two deaths were reported in Laurens County, when a person was killed by a tree falling on their house and the other person was killed in a car crash, and in Blackshear, a firefighter also died when a tree fell on their vehicle.[184] In Jeff Davis County, two people were killed by falling trees.[185] In Liberty County, one person was killed after a tree fell onto a camper.[186] In Washington County, a 4-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy were killed while trapped inside their home due to a tree hitting the residence, starting a fire.[187] In Columbia County, one person was killed after a tree fell onto their mobile home.[188] In Pierce County, a firefighter was killed after a tree fell on his vehicle.[189]
At least 108 people were killed in North Carolina,[4] including at least seventy-two in Buncombe County alone,[190] while about 200 more were left unaccounted for in the state.[123][191] Two people, a 4-year-old girl in Claremont and a 58-year-old man in Gastonia, were killed in traffic collisions during rains caused by Helene.[192] At least 879,000 customers in the state lost power.[193] In Charlotte, high winds from Helene caused a tree to fall onto a residence, killing one person and seriously injuring another.[194] In Winston-Salem, heavy rains and high winds caused a large tree to fall on a gas station, damaging two vehicles.[195][196] Residents living downstream of Lake Lure were ordered to evacuate as the Lake Lure Dam was overtopped by water and imminent failure was expected. Lake Lure Dam was later evaluated, and no imminent failure was expected, although erosion on both sides of the dam and compromise of the structural supports were reported.[197][198] One woman in the town of Lake Lure was rescued with her dog after being stranded inside a collapsed house along a riverbank.[199] Seven tornadoes were spawned by Helene in the state.[174] This included a brief, but intense low-end EF3 tornado that impacted the north side of Rocky Mount, damaging 14 buildings and injuring 15 people, including four critically.[200] Five of the other tornadoes were rated EF1, while the remaining one was rated EF0.[174]
Areas in the Black Mountains region in the western part of the state were particularly devastated. Residents of Swannanoa also reported that no search and rescue operations had reached their location as of September29, leaving several residents who had not prepared for the degree of flooding without food or drinkable water.[201] Data from the National Weather Service indicated that over 19in (480mm) of rain fell in areas upstream of Chimney Rock, leading to devastating floodwaters that destroyed half of the village, including half of the businesses on the South side of the village near the Broad River.[202] The downtown of Elkin was heavily damaged by floodwaters from the Yadkin River.[203] The Catawba River flooded Morganton and left thousands of residents without power.[204] The Oxford Dam, at Lake Hickory on the Catawba River, spilled over.[205] More than 400 roads were closed in the western part of the state, and over 200 people had to be rescued from floods.[179]
A curfew was issued for Asheville due to the damage that occurred inside the city.[206] The city broke their record for two-day rainfall, recording 9.87in (251mm) of rain.[207] There were sporadic reports of looting with theft of non-essential items such as sports apparel and athletic shoes during the height of the storm.[208] The French Broad River crested at 24.67ft (7.52m), and the Swannanoa River reached 26.1ft (8.0m), both higher than in the Flood of 1916.[209][210] Almost the entirety of Biltmore Village and the River Arts District were flooded, and the city was largely isolated due to loss of power and cell service.[211][212] Landslides around Asheville forced sections of I-26 and I-40 to close, and triggered a flash flood emergency for the location.[213][214] Access to Asheville was cut off from September 27–28 via I-26 to South Carolina.[215] A curfew was also issued for Boone after high winds and torrential rain caused flooding, sink holes, and power outages throughout Watauga County.[216]
Thirty-six people were killed in South Carolina,[226] including six in Spartanburg County and Greenville County, four in Aiken County, and Anderson County, three in Laurens County, two in Newberry County, one in Chesterfield County[227][228] two firefighters in Saluda County after being struck by a falling tree and another person was killed in this county, and one in Greenwood County after being struck by a falling tree.[229] Over 1.3million customers were without power in South Carolina, the most of any state impacted by Helene, with several counties experiencing a near-complete loss of power.[149][230][228] Wind gusts reached 72mph (116km/h) in Aiken and Anderson,[231] and 75mph (121km/h) in Beaufort.[232] Rainfall totals in the state peaked at 21.66in (550mm) in Rocky Bottom.[233] Helene spawned 20 weak tornadoes in the state; five of them were rated EF1, another was rated EFU, and the remaining 14 were rated EF0.[174]
Clemson University faced major online backlash[234] after deciding to host its September 28 homecoming football game against Stanford, bringing 80,295 fans to campus, most of whom were non-locals, at a time when the surrounding upstate, including the nearby city of Clemson and town of Central, were facing widespread power outages and gas shortages.[235][236] Tailgaters put a heavy strain on already scarce supplies such as gas, hot food from the few local restaurants that remained open, and ice that residents needed to prevent their food from spoiling in the absence of power. Later, on September 28, Clemson University announced that it would be opening some of its powered facilities and offering free food, drinks, ice, charging stations, and showers to the community for members in need of respite following the storm. However, many criticized the university for not doing so sooner.[237] Criticism continued when Clemson University announced that classes would be canceled on Monday, September 30, seemingly contradicting the earlier assertion that the area was recovered well enough to host a game.[238]
45,000 chickens were lost in one South Carolina poultry facility, and the storm is expected to have a major impact on local agriculture; South Carolina is a major supplier of chicken nationally to the United States.[180] Manure runoff from the damaged chicken facilities poses a potential risk to groundwater and streams.[180]
Tennessee
Helicopter crews rescued 58 people, with units from the Virginia State Police assisting, from Unicoi County Hospital in Erwin, Tennessee after the hospital was almost submerged entirely.[240] Part of a set of bridges on US 23/I-26/US 19W spanning the Nolichucky River in Erwin were completely washed away.[241][242] The Nashville Predators postponed a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning to October 7 due to severe weather in the area.[243]Nashville broke a daily rainfall record on September 27.[244] In Morristown, several trees fell, causing power lines to be snapped throughout the city.[245] Wind gusts in Sparta reached 44mph (71km/h).[246] In Newport, the Pigeon River rose to over three times the flood stage and set a new record at 26 feet (7.9m), flooding portions of the town and nearby I-40.[247] Across northeastern Tennessee, 85 people were still missing.[248]
Early on September 28, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) utility company issued a Condition Red alert for the Nolichucky Dam, saying that a failure of the dam was imminent, and local authorities issued an evacuation order.[249] However, it was reported by late morning the same day that water levels along the Nolichucky River were lowering. The TVA was investigating the dam to figure out the next steps.[250]12mi (19km) northeast of the Nolichucky Dam, the Kinser Bridge which is a part of SR 107, usually 60ft (18m) above the Nolichucky River, collapsed into the river after floodwaters overran the bridge.[251] A total of five state maintained bridges were destroyed.[252] A K-9 for the Erwin Police Department named Scotty was found dead on September 28 after going missing during flooding in the Bumpus Cove community.[253] Six employees who were trapped by flood waters at the Impact Plastics plant in Erwin were among the missing and dead, with one worker who survived and family members of the deceased saying workers were not told that they could leave until after flood waters had covered the road to the plant and it lost power. Impact Plastics released a statement expressing sympathy for the workers' deaths and said that employees had not been threatened with termination for leaving the plant.[254][255][256] The incident is under investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.[257]
One person was killed in Craig County after a tree fell onto a building.[259] Another person was killed in Tazewell County when a falling tree struck them as they were cleaning debris.[260] Rainfall reached 12.2in (310mm) in the Grayson Highlands,[261] while Galax saw around 8.6in (220mm) of rain over a 72-hour period. In the New River Valley, high waters from Helene were seen as far north as Radford University. Damascus saw flooding of 19.5ft (5.9m).[262]
Over 70 water rescue operations occurred in the state, with the Virginia National Guard rappelling from helicopters and pulling people from cars. In Albemarle County, one road was washed out. Elsewhere, SR 670 in Madison County and SR 637 in Greene County suffered heavy damage. Claytor Lake would suffer heavy pollution, with officials noting that their teams had found propane tanks and floating cars behind the dam.[262] In Pulaski County initial estimates revealed that 45 homes were significantly impacted. At the same time, in Giles County, more than 35 buildings were destroyed. Most of US 21 along the mountainside outside of Independence in Grayson County was destroyed, while the New River crested at 31.03ft (9.46m), only being surpassed by a 35.96ft (10.96m) crest on August 14, 1940, due to the remnants of the 1940 South Carolina hurricane. An EF1 tornado caused minor damage in Bedford County, while an EF2 tornado in Pittsylvania County injured one person, damaged 30 structures, and destroyed a mobile home.[263] Power outages in the state affected 190,000 people.[264]
Following the storm, nine state parks and four preserves closed due to damage from Helene.[265] In addition, numerous trails were closed in Shenandoah National Park.[266]
In West Virginia, heavy rainfall occurred. High water ran in Bluefield, and trees blocked multiple roadways. Elsewhere in the state were fallen trees across parts of Fayette County. In Mercer County, more than 20,000 customers lost power due to Helene.[271] The Denver Broncos, who were practicing at the Greenbrier Resort due to having two consecutive east coast road games, were forced to hold one of their practices in the indoor tennis courts due to the heavy rainfall.[272][273] Helene's rains have been primarily beneficial, alleviating drought conditions which were in the state since August 2024.[274]
In Illinois, Helene's remnants produced heavy rains and high winds, causing several thousand outages.[275] The waves on Lake Michigan were as high as 10ft (3.0m).[276] Portions of Southern Illinois exceeded 6in (150mm) of rain from the storm, which caused water levels on the Ohio River to jump by 15ft (4.6m) following the storm. However, the rainfall in this region was largely beneficial due to drought conditions from a lack of rain earlier in the month.[277] About 100,000 power outages occurred in Indiana,[278] and winds gusted up to 68mph (109km/h).[279] Rainfall in the state peaked at 4.89in (124mm) in Mt. Vernon, with 2.02in (51mm) of rain in Downtown Indianapolis; heavier rainfall totals occurred in the southern parts of the state.[280] One person was killed due to a fallen tree near Griffin.[124] Over 120,000 customers lost power in Ohio.[281] An estimated 1,000 households have sustained damage in Scioto County due to unexpected heavy rainfall, with 7in (180mm) of rain falling within the span of a few hours. 400 damage reports have been filed as of September 30, 2024.[282] In the city of Cincinnati, rainfall totals reached 2.05in (52mm).[283] Wind gusts in the state reached 67mph (108km/h).[284]
In the state of Alabama, over 3,000 customers lost power.[285] Isolated regions in Geneva County and Houston County experienced 6–8in (150–200mm) of rain. However, a last-second shift to the east lessened impacts throughout the state.[286]
Pack mules were utilized to access areas inaccessible by other means in North Carolina.[293] Operation AirDrop and the Carolina Emergency Response Team helped deploy volunteer private helicopter pilots to assist in rescue efforts.[294][295]
As of October 1, the White House reported via press release that FEMA had given out 6.5 million liters of water and 7.1 million meals.[296][297]World Central Kitchen would deploy food trucks to hurricane struck areas, proving more than 64,000 meals in multiple states affected.[296] The owner of a local Mellow Mushroom would give away $5000 of free pizza to Asheville residents.[296]
On October 1, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice declared a state of emergency in Mercer County which allowed the West Virginia Emergency Management Division to implement the Emergency Operations Plan, allowing swift mobilization of personnel, resources, and essential emergency services. Justice said of the emergency declaration that it "will allow us to speed up the response on the ground and potentially receive federal assistance as we push forward with recovery efforts".[298]
President Biden was criticized for visiting Rehoboth Beach, Delaware over the weekend instead of being at the White House commanding the federal response. Biden disputed claims that he was not helping to command the federal response to the disaster and stated that he had been doing so over the phone. Biden also said that he might have to ask Congress to return to Washington, D.C. to pass supplemental funding for the federal government's response to Helene. Biden promised to visit the emergency operations center in Raleigh on October2 before embarking on an aerial tour of Asheville before visiting Georgia and Florida "as soon as possible after that". Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris also promised to be "on the ground" as soon as possible without interrupting emergency response operations. On September 30, Harris boarded Air Force Two en route to Joint Base Andrews to visit FEMA headquarters in Washington, D.C. for a briefing on support for emergency response and recovery efforts from the results of Hurricane Helene.[306]
In response to reporters' questions about the relation between climate change and the hurricane's severity, the head of FEMA, Deanne Criswell, said climate change made the storm significantly worse.[307][308] Later, when reporters asked President Biden if climate change is to blame for the damage done by the hurricane he answered: "Absolutely, positively, unequivocally, yes, yes, yes, yes."[309]
On September30, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump visited Valdosta, Georgia and alleged that Georgia's Republican governor, Brian Kemp, was "having a hard time getting the president [Joe Biden] on the phone. Federal government is not being responsive.” Biden responded that Trump was "lying" as Biden said he had spoken to Kemp. The federal government was "doing everything possible", while Kemp said that Biden "just called me yesterday afternoon [on September29] — I missed him and called him right back ... [Biden] just said, 'Hey, what do you need?' And I told him, 'You know, we got what we need, we will work through the federal process.' He offered that if there's other things we need, just to call him directly, which, I appreciate that. But we've had FEMA embedded with us since, you know, a day or two before the storm hit."[310][311][312] Trump also claimed on his social media platform, Truth Social, that the federal government and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper were "going out of their way to not help people in Republican areas".[313]
On October 1, the U.S. senators from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia wrote a letter to Senate leadership urging action to help their states, even if it meant returning early from the fall recess.[296] However, a day later, Speaker of the HouseMike Johnson said that lawmakers would not return early saying that, "We wouldn't even conceivably have the request ready before we get back in November" due to uncertainties about the cost of the disaster and that there was "no necessity" for a return. Secretary of Homeland SecurityAlejandro Mayorkas said that the costly relief effort would use most of FEMA's funding for the year and that the agency would be unprepared for another major disaster.[314] That same day, Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina Mark Robinson, tweeted claims that Biden had told reporters that there were "no more supplies" for North Carolinians that were impacted by the storm. When asked for proof of the comment being said, reporters were given a video clip of Biden on September 29 responding to a question about any additional supplies being made available, with Biden stating "no, we have pre-planned a significant amount of [resources], even though they hadn’t asked for it yet."[315]
(From left to right) Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, FEMA director Deanne Criswell, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, and President Joe Biden speak during an aerial tour to survey damage caused by Hurricane Helene aboard Marine One on October 2, 2024.
On October 2, President Biden flew to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport aboard Air Force One and met with South Carolina officials such as Senator Lindsey Graham and Governor Henry McMaster to discuss the federal response to Helene in the state before boarding Marine One and traveling to North Carolina to embark on an aerial tour of Asheville and Lake Lure. Biden was joined by North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, FEMA director Deanne Criswell, and Homeland Security AdvisorElizabeth Sherwood-Randall.[316] According to Alejandro Mayorkas, the tour was done from the air using Marine One not to impede the emergency response on the ground. Biden also ordered the Department of Defense to deploy up to 1,000 active-duty troops to assist with aid efforts.[314] After Biden's visit, Graham said in a press conference that Biden needed to intervene in the port strike due to it potentially jeopardizing the relief efforts in the Carolinas. McMaster said that he and Graham also suggested to Biden during his visit that he intervene in the strike as well.[317] Vice President Kamala Harris visited Augusta, Georgia, and spoke with residents of the city whom Helene impacted. Harris personally comforted Augusta residents, handed out supplies, spoke about underway relief efforts, and thanked local and state officials such as Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson. Harris also visited a Red Cross relief center where she received a briefing from local officials about the situation.[318]
On October 3, President Biden flew to Tallahassee International Airport aboard Air Force One where he then embarked on another aerial tour aboard Marine One of impacted areas while en route to Perry. From Perry, Biden then traveled via motorcade to Keaton Beach where he was joined by Senator Rick Scott and other local officials. Biden spoke to a couple whose home had been destroyed by storm surge and discussed the impacts of the storm with local emergency management officials before returning to Perry where he boarded Marine One and then flew to Moody Air Force Base in Georgia.[319] From Moody Air Force Base, Biden traveled to Shiloh Pecan Farm southwest of Ray City where he said it was time to put aside "rabid partisanship" to help get people relief. Secretary of AgricultureTom Vilsack accompanied Biden at the farm and he spoke about federal programs to help farmers recover.[320]
On October 4, Trump attended a disaster briefing in Evans, Georgia, where he met with Governor Kemp in front of a backdrop of relief supplies where he praised the state's response to the storm.[325] Speaking at a news conference afterward, Trump repeated his claims about the federal government being unable to fund the disaster response due to funds being inappropriately spent on undocumented migrants, to which the Biden administration responded in a statement that the claims were false and were a "poison" to the relief efforts.[326] That same day, Representative Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced a bill to end FEMA's Shelter and Service Program, claiming that the program diverted funds away from disaster relief efforts, saying, "the federal government remains fixated on spending hundreds of millions on a program sheltering illegal immigrants instead of helping our own citizens".[327]
Hurricane Camille (1969) – a Category 5 hurricane which caused similar devastating inland flooding in Virginia well after landfall
Hurricane Agnes (1972) – a weaker hurricane that caused similar catastrophic flooding in the Mid-Atlantic states while well inland
Hurricane Hermine (2016) – a weaker hurricane that also struck the Big Bend region and caused damage across Georgia and the Carolinas
Hurricane Florence (2018) – a Category 4 hurricane that caused catastrophic damage in the Carolinas
Hurricane Michael (2018) – a Category5 hurricane which also severely impacted the Florida Panhandle
Hurricane Ian (2022) – caused similar impacts as a Category 5 hurricane in an area just south of where Helene struck
Hurricane Idalia (2023) – another major hurricane that impacted the Big Bend at a similar intensity a year prior
Hurricane Debby (2024) – a Category1 hurricane that made landfall in the Florida Big Bend about a month before Helene
Notes
↑ Hurricanes reaching Category3 and higher—1-minute sustained winds higher than 110 miles per hour (178km/h)—on the Saffir–Simpson scale are described as major hurricanes.[3]
↑ Includes US$7 billion in agricultural damages that are not specified by state
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North Carolina was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene during late September 2024, primarily in its western Appalachian region, causing dozens of reported deaths and significant destruction of infrastructure and residential areas across several settlements. After making landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on September 27, the hurricane began to traverse over land across Georgia as a Category 2 hurricane and into the Appalachian mountain range as a Tropical Storm, depositing record-breaking amounts of rainfall across several settlements in western North Carolina, such as Asheville, Swannanoa, Chimney Rock, Montreat, Lake Lure, and several others.
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↑ Kelly, Larry (September 23, 2024). Seven-Day Graphical Tropical Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
↑ Reinhart, Brad (September 23, 2024). Seven-Day Graphical Tropical Outlook (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
↑ Berg, Robbie (September 24, 2024). Tropical Storm Helene Discussion Number 5 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
↑ Berg, Robbie (September 25, 2024). Hurricane Helene Advisory Number 9 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
↑ Berg, Robbie (September 26, 2024). Tropical Storm Helene Discussion Number 5 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
↑ Cangialosi, John (September 26, 2024). Hurricane Helene Discussion Number 13 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
↑ Cangialosi, John; Brown, Daniel; Berg, Robbie (September 26, 2024). Hurricane Helene Update Statement: 620 EDT (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
↑ Lisa Bucci; Matt Sardi; Daniel Brown; Richard Pasch; Andrew Hagen (September 26, 2024). Hurricane Helene Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
↑ Philippe Papin; Jack Beven (September 27, 2024). Hurricane Helene Tropical Cyclone Update (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
↑ Beven, Jack (September 27, 2024). Tropical Storm Helene Discussion Number 16 (Report). Miami, Florida: National Hurricane Center. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
↑ Yablonsk, Steven; Speck, Emilee; Sistek, Scott (September 25, 2024). "Tracking Tropical Storm Helene". Fox Weather. Archived from the original on September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
↑ "IEM Warning Archive". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
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