At Least 30 Dead and Millions Without Power After Hurricane Helene

At approximately 11:10pm EST, Hurricane Helene struck the Gulf Coast of Florida as a Category 4. Since making landfall, the effects of Helene include catastrophic destruction, life-threatening storm surge, and millions without power.

The rapid intensification of Hurricane Helene forced schools, airports, and roadways across Florida to close on Thursday. Over 70,000 people in four counties – Franklin, Taylor, Liberty, and Wakulla – were ordered to evacuate as forecasters warned of 'unsurvivable' conditions.

At Least 30 Deaths Blamed on Helene

Florida has reported at least eight deaths following Hurricane Helene's devastating landfall near Perry. Pinellas County has experienced five of these fatalities, two of which were drownings, one by a falling tree, one by a sign hitting a car in Tampa on Interstate 4, and one woman who was found dead in Tampa.