States Declaring Emergencies
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, six states have declared emergencies as the storm continues to impact the Southeast region after making landfall in Florida’s Big Bend area.
Current Situation
Initially hitting as a Category 4 hurricane, Helene has since weakened. However, it is still bringing torrential rains and high winds, resulting in significant damage to homes and infrastructure across affected areas.
Storm Warnings and Watches
Approximately 60 million people in 12 states are under various storm watches and warnings as Helene progresses. The following states have declared emergencies:
- Florida: Governor Ron DeSantis reported that 61 of the 67 counties are currently under a state of emergency.
- Georgia: All 159 counties have been placed under a state of emergency, allowing emergency management teams to prepare resources for the storm.
- North Carolina: Governor Roy Cooper warned that Helene poses a significant threat of heavy rain and potential catastrophic flooding, particularly for central and western regions from Thursday night into Friday.
- South Carolina: Governor Henry McMaster noted that while the state may avoid the worst effects, flooding, high winds, and isolated tornadoes are still expected.
- Alabama: President Joe Biden has approved an emergency declaration, providing federal assistance for those impacted by Helene.
- Virginia: Governor Glenn Youngkin highlighted the risk of significant flooding due to the storm’s outer bands and previous rain events, especially in the southwestern part of the state.
Stay Informed
Residents in affected areas are urged to monitor local news and weather reports for updates on Hurricane Helene’s path and impacts. Prepare for potential power outages and flash flood warnings. For real-time updates, check the Florida Power Outage Map and other local resources.