Storm Helen caused deadly flooding in the Carolinas on Friday after causing widespread damage overnight as a major hurricane in Florida and Georgia. at least 20 people died, areas flooded and more than 4 million homes and companies without electricity.

The Category 4 storm made landfall just before midnight (0310 GMT) near Big Ben in Florida, leaving behind a chaotic landscape of capsized boats in ports, downed trees, submerged cars and flooded streets.

Police and firefighters conducted thousands of water rescues throughout the affected states, including Atlanta, Georgia, whereresidential complex due to flooding.

Helen reached Florida with winds of 140 mph and weakened to a tropical storm en route to Georgia. Rain of up to 50 cm is forecast in some places.

Maximum sustained winds at 11:00 local time (15:00 GMT). They walked almost 100 kilometers per hour. and was expected to die out over the Tennessee Valley over the weekend.

Storm surge, winds and heavy rain continued, according to the NHC.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for several counties across the country. Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina on Friday morning.

“This ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. LOOK FOR A HIGH PLACE NOW!“They told us in the service department.

In western North Carolina, Rutherford County emergency officials warned residents near the Lake Lure Reservoir to evacuate shortly before noon. “Imminent dam failure they added.

The extent of the damage in Florida became clear at dawn.

Storm surge in coastal Steinhatchee – wall of seawater washes ashore winds – displaced houses by 2.4-3 meters cellphones, NWS reports in X. On Treasure Island, an island community in Pinellas County, boats were stuck in front yards.

The city of Tampa reported on X that emergency personnel completed 78 water rescues and that many roads were impassable due to flooding. Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies rescued more than 65 people overnight.

The US Coast Guard said it rescued nine people from the storm’s waters. Video posted online shows a Coast Guard crew pulling a man and his dog wearing life jackets from the ocean Thursday after their sailboat became disabled off Sanibel Island.

Kevin Guthrie, Florida’s emergency management director, urged residents in affected areas stay off the roads.

“I ask you not to come out,” Guthrie said at a morning news conference. “We have 1,500 search and rescue personnel in the affected areas.. Please get out of the way so we can do our job.”

Helen is the 14th most powerful hurricane to hit the United States on record.7th most powerful in Florida According to the National Hurricane Center (CNH).

Some residents stubbornly remained in their homes.