The death toll has risen to 40 after Hurricane Helene, one of the most powerful storms to strike the United States, 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 caused widespread destruction across Florida and other southeastern states.
Emergency management officials in North Carolina have confirmed the latest fatalities and issued urgent evacuation orders for areas below the Lake Lure dam, which was feared to be on the verge of failing.
Later updates indicated that the dam remained intact, although its structural integrity was compromised. Evacuations continued as a precautionary measure.
Earlier, authorities warned residents through social media: “RESIDENTS BELOW THE LAKE LURE DAM NEED TO EVACUATE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY!! DAM FAILURE IMMINENT!!” However, state officials later reported no immediate signs of dam failure.
As Helene moved inland, it left behind extensive damage. The hurricane made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday night with winds of 140 mph and a storm surge of 15 feet, flooding homes up to their rooftops.
Currently, millions of people in Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, and Virginia are without power.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis reported two deaths in the state, including a driver who was killed when a sign fell on his vehicle in Tampa, and five fatalities in Pinellas County.
In Georgia, 11 fatalities were reported, including two from a trailer accident, while South Carolina confirmed at least 17 deaths, primarily due to falling trees.
