Hurricane Helene downgraded to tropical storm as it batters Atlantic coast – Washington Examiner
Hurricane Helene was downgraded to a tropical storm after making landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane. The storm caused significant destruction along Florida’s Gulf Coast, resulting in severe flooding and power outages affecting nearly one million residents. Reports indicated storm surges reached up to nine feet, with dramatic videos showing homes being swept away. By Friday morning, Helene had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane as it moved into Georgia, bringing strong winds estimated at 60 mph and heavy rainfall, with additional reports of transformers blowing in Savannah. The storm’s impacts were also felt in North and South Carolina as it continued to weaken.
Hurricane Helene downgraded to tropical storm as it continues to batter Atlantic coast
Hurricane Helene was downgraded to a tropical storm on Friday morning after making landfall on Florida as a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday night in the Big Bend region of Florida. The storm left a wake of destruction along Florida’s Gulf Coast late Thursday night.
Multiple cities reported severe flooding due to the storm, and videos posted on social media showed houses floating away due to storm surge flooding. Surges were reported to rise as high as nine feet in some areas. Nearly one million people were reported to have lost power in Florida because of Helene.
By Friday morning, the storm had weakened to a Category 1 hurricane and entered Georgia. Videos posted to social media as the storm hit Georgia showed strong wind gusts estimated to be around 60 miles per hour, heavy rain, and transformers blowing out in and around Savannah.
After weakening to a tropical storm, Helene’s effects were reportedly felt in North and South Carolina shortly after 4 a.m.
“At 409 AM, emergency management reported numerous road closures, ongoing water rescues, and flooded homes across Haywood County,” WLOS, an ABC affiliate in Asheville, North Carolina, posted on its X account.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reported high tide levels and tornado warnings in Charleston, South Carolina, after 5 a.m.
The NOAA also issued tornado warnings for areas in eastern Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.
Tropical Storm Helene’s impact could extend as far inland to the southern Appalachian region, according to the Weather Channel. Rainfall from the storm could cause “catastrophic flooding” in this area.
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