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Dozens dead, millions in dark across Southeast as region struggles in wake of Helene
Where's the Presidential Tourist?
When's the National Disaster Declaration?
[FoxWeather] Helene, which is now post-tropical, will continue to bring the threat of flooding rains as the system meanders across the East, the FOX Forecast Center said.

Recovery operations are ongoing across the Southeast as communities across the region grapple with Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic destruction that left at least 60 people dead, whole neighborhoods underwater and millions of people without power.

The Category 4 hurricane made landfall along Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday night with 140 mph winds that left widespread destruction across the region while hundreds of people needed to be rescued from the flooding and damaged property caused by the storm’s relentless winds and precipitation.

As of Sunday, power outages remain across several states affecting nearly 3 million customers – a slight improvement from the peak of the storm, when 4.7 million were without power.

DEVASTATING STORM SURGE, NEAR 100 MPH WIND GUSTS SLAM FLORIDA
Helene's storm surge caused catastrophic damage along Florida's Gulf Coast, where more than 240,000 utility customers remained without power Sunday morning. The Big Bend region experienced surges exceeding 15 feet, while Clearwater Beach and Tampa saw their highest levels in decades.

Following landfall, the storm quickly moved through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, splintering homes and overwhelming rivers and dams.

A catastrophic flood threat was narrowly avoided Saturday along the Nolichucky River in East Tennessee as the remnants of Helene unleashed torrential rainfall, pushing the river to the brink of a critical emergency.

The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a dire Flash Flood Emergency late Friday as the Nolichucky Dam in Greeneville was feared to be teetering on the verge of collapse, threatening imminent danger to communities downstream. However, the dam survived the onslaught and the waters, while still several feet above record flood stage, are starting to recede.

This comes after a record-breaking 28 Flash Flood Emergencies were issued across the Southeast, including Georgia, western North Carolina, parts of South Carolina and Virginia. Friday saw the most Flash Flood Emergencies issued in a single day nationwide.

Even as the storm weakened to a post-tropical cyclone, its devastating effects continued to be felt.

HELENE'S LIFE-THREATENING FLOODS INUNDATE BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA
FOX Weather continues to follow the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, as over 200 reports of flooding have poured in from across the Southeast. Boone, North Carolina, is currently under a Flash Flood Warning, with life-threatening flooding inundating the area on Friday. Meteorologist Jane Minar is reporting live from Boone with the latest on the situation there.

Dozens of water rescues as record floods slam western North Carolina, Atlanta

In North Carolina, the storm's torrential rains caused catastrophic flooding, particularly in the Asheville area. At least 50 water rescues were reported, and tragically, 19 lives were lost. The flooding was so severe that parts of the state remained underwater days after the storm passed.

Atlanta experienced its first-ever Flash Flood Emergency, breaking a 138-year-old rainfall record with 11.18 inches in two days. This caused severe flooding that submerged entire neighborhoods.

Rescue crews worked tirelessly to save stranded individuals, including a woman who was rescued by FOX Weather Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen. Hearing her cries for help while reporting nearby, Van Dillen immediately jumped into action to save her from the rising floodwaters.

Helene, which is now post-tropical, will continue to bring the threat of flooding rains as the system meanders across the East, the FOX Forecast Center said.

Around 2-4 inches of additional rain is likely from Western Tennessee into Ohio. Additional rain is expected in the Northern Appalachian Mountains. Helene's lingering effects should finally exit the Northeast late Tuesday into Wednesday.

Courtesy of Besoeker:
Hurricane Helene - Please Pray for Western North Carolina
[X] Pray for Western North Carolina. They have nothing left and not much in the way of assistance on the way. This before and after picture is taken from the exact spot and is just one example of what these folks are faced with.





Posted by: Skidmark 2024-09-29
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=717294