Dozens have died as Helene causes severe flooding, with a dam breach imminent in Tennessee.
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Helene continues to wreak havoc across the Southeast, leaving at least 49 fatalities across multiple states, devastating communities, disrupting power supplies, and trapping many in floodwaters after making landfall as a formidable Category 4 hurricane in Florida's Big Bend region on Thursday night. Here’s the latest update:
Imminent Dam Break Warning: A flash flood emergency has been extended until noon Eastern time for parts of Cocke, Greene, and Hamblen counties in eastern Tennessee due to an imminent dam break on the Nolichucky River below the Nolichucky Dam. This emergency affects over 5,800 residents and two schools. The National Weather Service reports that dam operators have indicated a likely failure of the Nolichucky Dam. Rapid river rises have been observed in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Although the heaviest rainfall has passed, an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain is expected this weekend, leading to potentially life-threatening flooding if the dam fails.
Casualties Across Five States: Storm-related fatalities have been reported in South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia. South Carolina has recorded at least 19 deaths, including two firefighters in Saluda County. Georgia has seen at least 15 fatalities, with two killed by a tornado in Alamo. Florida reports eight deaths, including drownings in Pinellas County, while North Carolina has six, including a tragic car accident that claimed the life of a 4-year-old girl. In Virginia, one death occurred due to a storm-related tree fall and building collapse.
More Rain on the Way: Additional rainfall is anticipated this weekend across parts of the southern Appalachian region, with up to 1 inch expected in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, and up to 2 inches possible in portions of Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania through Monday. While rainfall amounts may be light, areas that have already experienced excessive rain from Helene may encounter isolated instances of significant runoff, according to the National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg.
Rescue Operations in Progress: Nearly 4,000 National Guardsmen are engaged in rescue missions across 21 counties in Florida, with additional guardsmen activated in North Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. The Biden administration has mobilized over 1,500 federal personnel to support the communities affected by Helene, as stated by Vice President Kamala Harris.
Severe Flooding in North Carolina: According to Governor Roy Cooper, Helene has been one of the worst storms in modern history for parts of North Carolina. The western regions of the state have experienced life-threatening flash floods, significant landslides, and widespread power outages due to heavy rains and strong winds. Over 100 individuals have been rescued from floodwaters. More than 2 feet of rain fell in the mountainous areas from Wednesday to Friday, with Busick recording 29.58 inches in just 48 hours. In Asheville, a citywide curfew was imposed until 7:30 a.m. Saturday, and torrential rain is threatening the Lake Lure Dam with imminent failure.
Widespread Power Outages: The remnants of Helene have left nearly 3.3 million customers without power across South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, and Ohio as of Saturday morning, according to PowerOutage.us.
Continued Threat: Helene’s remnants are expected to bring ongoing rain and gusty winds across hundreds of miles in the East. More than a foot of rain has been recorded in multiple states, prompting 14 flash flood emergencies affecting approximately 1.1 million people in the Southern Appalachians of western North Carolina and surrounding areas. Winds have been gusting between 30 to 50 mph in the Ohio and Tennessee Valley regions, with over 35 million individuals under wind alerts as the weekend approaches.