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                     CRAWFORDVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, made landfall late Thursday night in Florida’s Big Bend region, unleashing catastrophic winds and storm surges across much of the southeastern United States. The hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (225 kph), pummeled coastal communities, toppled trees, ripped apart homes, and knocked out power for millions, leaving at least 44 people dead across five states as of Friday.

Helene struck the sparsely populated area near the mouth of the Aucilla River at 11:10 p.m. EDT. This region, known for its fishing villages and natural beauty, was ill-prepared for the massive storm that bore down with winds reminiscent of the devastation caused by Hurricane Idalia last year. The damage from Helene, however, appears to have surpassed that of its predecessor, leaving communities reeling in its aftermath.

A “Nightmare” Storm Surge and Widespread Flooding

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) had issued stark warnings of an “unsurvivable” storm surge, predicting water levels as high as 20 feet (6 meters) in Apalachee Bay. Coastal towns like Cedar Key and Perry faced immediate inundation as the hurricane’s eye barreled ashore. In Dekle Beach, one of the hardest-hit areas, homes were obliterated, and streets became rivers of floodwater as Helene’s powerful storm surge engulfed the coastline.

Laurie Lilliott, a resident of Dekle Beach, returned to find her home destroyed. "It took me a long time to breathe," she said, surveying the wreckage. Like many others in the region, she had written her name and phone number on her arm with permanent marker, following local officials’ advice to help identify bodies in the event of fatalities.

As Helene continued inland, torrential rain and hurricane-force winds extended far beyond Florida, reaching northern Georgia, the Carolinas, and even Tennessee. Up to 14 inches (36 centimeters) of rain fell in parts of the Appalachian Mountains, triggering landslides and extensive flooding. In North Carolina, a lake featured in the movie "Dirty Dancing" overtopped a dam, leading to evacuations, though no structural failure was reported.

In total, Moody's Analytics estimated property damage from Hurricane Helene to be between $15 and $26 billion.

Deadly Tornadoes and Power Outages Across the Region

In addition to the deadly storm surge and flooding, tornadoes spawned by the hurricane wreaked havoc across the Southeast. In Georgia, two people were killed when a suspected tornado struck a mobile home. Tornado warnings were issued across more than a dozen counties, with Wheeler County Sheriff Randy Rigdon describing the damage as severe.

The storm also knocked out power for millions of residents. By Friday evening, more than 4.2 million customers were without electricity across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. In southern Georgia, some hospitals were left without power, forcing authorities to use chainsaws to clear debris and open blocked roads for emergency response.

The Georgia Electrical Utility Group warned of “catastrophic” damage to the state's electrical infrastructure, with over 100 high-voltage transmission lines damaged. In South Carolina, 40% of homes and businesses were left without power, and crews faced significant challenges cutting through debris to restore services.

Desperate Rescue Efforts Amid the Chaos

As Helene barreled through the region, emergency responders were engaged in life-saving rescue operations. In northeast Tennessee, a “dangerous rescue situation” unfolded as floodwaters trapped 54 people on the roof of Unicoi County Hospital. Helicopters were dispatched, and all patients and staff were successfully evacuated from the facility.

Further south, in Newport, Tennessee, fears of a dam collapse prompted evacuations, though authorities later confirmed the dam remained intact. Meanwhile, in North Carolina’s Nash County, a tornado critically injured four people as it tore through local communities.

In Florida, rescuers worked tirelessly to save residents trapped in their homes. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said some residents who ignored evacuation orders were forced to seek refuge in their attics as floodwaters rose. Emergency crews, hindered by obstacles like submerged roads and downed power lines, struggled to reach these individuals.

"We tried to launch boats, we tried to use high-water vehicles, but the conditions were just too difficult," Gualtieri said, adding that the death toll could rise as rescue crews continued to comb through the wreckage.

Devastation in Atlanta and Beyond

Hurricane Helene’s impact was felt as far north as Atlanta, where relentless rain flooded entire neighborhoods. In the upscale Paces community, residents could only see the rooftops of cars submerged in floodwater. Schools, universities, and airports throughout the region were closed, and curfews were imposed in many cities.

As the storm’s remnants moved north, Tennessee became the next target. A mudslide in the Appalachian Mountains washed out a section of Interstate 26 near the North Carolina-Tennessee state line, while in Buncombe County, North Carolina, a second mudslide trapped residents for hours before they were rescued.

Meteorologists warned that Helene could bring even more destruction as it merged with another weather system in the Appalachian region, potentially worsening flood risks and extending power outages.

A Record-Breaking Hurricane Season

Hurricane Helene is the eighth named storm of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which began on June 1. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) had predicted an above-average hurricane season due to record-warm ocean temperatures, and Helene’s rapid intensification exemplified the growing threat posed by climate change.

Experts like University of Georgia meteorologist Marshall Shepherd pointed out that warmer waters in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic are fueling stronger, faster-developing storms like Helene. “These kinds of storms are becoming more frequent and more dangerous,” Shepherd said. “Helene intensified incredibly quickly, giving communities less time to prepare.”

Helene’s path of destruction mirrored that of past hurricanes like Michael and Idalia, both of which caused significant damage to Florida’s Gulf Coast. However, the widespread impact of Helene—from coastal Florida to inland Georgia, the Carolinas, and Tennessee—has made it one of the most devastating storms to hit the southeastern U.S. in recent memory.

Community Resilience and Recovery Efforts Underway

Despite the widespread devastation, communities across the region are already beginning the long road to recovery. In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis expressed confidence in the state’s resilience, noting that the people of Florida have faced similar challenges in the past.

"We’ve seen storms before, and we’ve come through stronger on the other side,” DeSantis said during a press conference in storm-damaged St. Pete Beach. “This is tough, but Florida is resilient, and we’ll rebuild."

Federal, state, and local authorities have mobilized search-and-rescue teams, and more than 1,500 FEMA workers are on the ground assisting with relief efforts. In Tampa, some neighborhoods were only accessible by boat, as rising floodwaters swallowed streets and homes.

President Joe Biden also pledged federal support for the affected areas, saying, “Our hearts are with those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods. We will do everything in our power to help these communities recover.”

Preparing for the Future: Staying Safe During Hurricane Season

As the 2024 hurricane season progresses, emergency management experts are urging residents in hurricane-prone areas to take preparedness seriously. Jaime Hernandez, the emergency management director for Hollywood, Florida, emphasized the importance of having a plan, preparing an emergency kit, and staying informed.

"Preparation is key," Hernandez said. "Make sure you have enough supplies, including water, non-perishable food, and medications, to last at least seven days. And always have cash on hand in case ATMs are down."

He also advised listening closely to local evacuation orders and warnings from the National Weather Service, noting that storm surges and flooding often present the greatest dangers in a hurricane.

For now, though, the focus remains on recovery, as the Southeast begins to pick up the pieces from one of the most destructive hurricanes in recent memory.