As Hurricane Helene came up the Gulf of Mexico, it has wreaked havoc all along Florida’s west and north coasts.
Helene made landfall as a category 4 hurricane at 11 p.m. Thursday night at Decal Beach in Taylor County, Florida. The storm was moving at 23 mph, maximum sustained winds were 140 mph, and record-breaking storm surges were up to 20 feet in some areas.
There are currently 8 deaths reported in Florida, 3 in Georgia and 1 in North Carolina. Search and rescue successfully completed thousands of missions with help from local authorities, National Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife. Broader search and rescue missions will continue all day today.
Over 1 million customers are still without power. Florida Department of Transportation began “Cut and Toss” operations about 3 a.m. and over 2,000 miles of highway and roadways have been cleared including I-10 and I-75 North to GA.
Several bridges in the Tampa Bay area are closed and under inspection.
Tampa International and St. Pete International airports are now beginning operations, but delays and cancellations are reported.
All residents are being asked to remain home, (unless they need rescuing) due to downed power lines, debris and flooding.
The next 72 hours the state will be under “Search, Secure and Stabilize” missions.
By - FZ
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