CurrentReport Blog The death toll from Hurricane Helene has tragically climbed to 37 after the storm made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane before being downgraded to a tropical storm. With wind gusts reaching 140 mph (225 km/h), Helene wreaked havoc across Florida and other southeastern states, leaving widespread destruction in its wake.
Emergency management officials in North Carolina have confirmed the latest casualties and issued urgent evacuation warnings for residents below the Lake Lure dam, which was feared to be on the verge of failure. Although later updates indicated the dam remained intact, its structural integrity is still compromised, prompting continued evacuations as a precaution.
Earlier today, authorities took to social media to warn residents: “RESIDENTS BELOW THE LAKE LURE DAM NEED TO EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY!! DAM FAILURE IMMINENT!!” Fortunately, state officials later reassured the public that there was no immediate risk of failure.
As Helene moved inland, it left a devastating trail. In Florida’s Big Bend region, the storm made landfall late Thursday night, bringing 140 mph winds and a 15-foot storm surge that flooded homes up to their rooftops. Millions across Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia are currently without power.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis confirmed two fatalities in the state, including a driver who was killed when a sign fell on his vehicle in Tampa. Additionally, five deaths were reported in Pinellas County. In Georgia, 11 lives were lost, including two individuals in a trailer crash, while South Carolina reported at least 17 deaths, many resulting from falling trees.
As rescue efforts and recovery operations continue, officials are urging residents to remain vigilant and follow evacuation orders where necessary. The full extent of the damage and the ongoing impact of Hurricane Helene are still being assessed, with communities across the affected states facing a long road to recovery.
