Hurricane Helene's Devastating Path Across the Southeast

Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, left a trail of destruction across the Southeastern United States, claiming the lives of at least 128 people and causing widespread damage. Homes were destroyed, power lines were downed, and ancient oak trees were snapped like twigs in the face of the storm's fury.

The storm's impact was felt across multiple states, with fatalities reported in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee. Hundreds more remain unaccounted for, with over 600 people reported missing in North Carolina alone. The storm's wrath extended hundreds of miles northward, causing significant flooding and damage in areas like northeast Tennessee.

In North Carolina, a lake featured in the movie "Dirty Dancing" overflowed its dam, forcing evacuations in surrounding neighborhoods. The city of Newport, Tennessee, also faced evacuations due to concerns about a nearby dam. Tornadoes spawned by the storm caused further damage, including one in Nash County, North Carolina, that critically injured four people.

Atlanta received a record-breaking 11.12 inches of rain in 48 hours, the most the city has seen in two days since 1878. Neighborhoods were inundated with floodwaters, leaving only car roofs visible above the surface.

The death toll is expected to rise as search and rescue teams continue their efforts in flooded areas. Five fatalities in Florida occurred in neighborhoods where residents were advised to evacuate. Some who chose to stay were forced to seek refuge in their attics as floodwaters rose.

Hurricane Helene's impact extended beyond the United States, causing flooding and power outages in parts of Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula and western Cuba. The storm serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature and the importance of heeding evacuation warnings.