Nearly 3,900 National Guard troops have been deployed across Florida in the wake of Hurricane Helene, with numerous South Florida first responders heading north to join rescue and recovery efforts.
The Category 4 storm left an unprecedented path of destruction, battering multiple states, including Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
In Erwin, Tennessee, a dramatic helicopter rescue saved over 50 people who had taken refuge on the roof of a hospital as the surrounding area was submerged by rising river waters.
“We heard the wood cracking,” said an Erwin resident as the helicopter swooped in just in time.
The footage from the rescue captured the urgency of the operation, showing the extent of the damage as the swollen river threatened to engulf the building.
Farther east, Asheville, North Carolina, faced relentless rain, which quickly transformed city streets into torrents.
Videos from the area show roads disappearing underwater, a haunting reminder of the storm’s intensity.
Flash flooding has caused widespread chaos, with entire neighborhoods under water. Emergency officials are working around the clock to mitigate the flooding, but rising waters have made travel treacherous in many areas.
In Georgia, Atlanta declared a flash flood emergency as more than six inches of rain fell in a matter of hours.
Cars were submerged, and rescue teams rushed to help residents. One man was spotted carrying his dog through waist-deep water to safety, remarking on how unprepared he felt for the devastation
“I wasn’t expecting this at all. It’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen,” he said as his soaked dog clung to him.
In Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis toured the devastated city of Perry in the Big Bend region, where residents are reeling from the storm’s impact.
Perry was pummeled by Helene’s fierce winds and driving rain, leaving behind a trail of flooded streets and destroyed homes. In Sarasota, south of Perry, widespread flooding persists, and residents are slowly beginning to assess the damage.
On Florida’s west coast, Treasure Island suffered extensive damage, as boats were tossed like toys by the storm surge. Entire docks were washed away, leaving marina owners and boaters facing enormous losses.
“That building is going to come apart,” a resident was be heard saying as they watched in disbelief while structures gave way under the pressure of the floodwaters.
Cedar Key, one of Florida’s hardest-hit areas , was inundated by water.
“It’s chest-deep here now,” a resident said, “the water’s made it into the museum.”
Drone footage captured in daylight revealed the true scope of the destruction: homes lifted off their foundations and skeletal remains of buildings submerged in floodwaters. “Just a cruel irony—entire houses are missing,” another resident said, reflecting on the stark reality of the storm’s aftermath.
As Florida grapples with the widespread destruction, other parts of the state are still reeling from power outages. In Jacksonville, transformers appeared to explode as the storm passed through, knocking out power for thousands. Tampa saw massive trees uprooted, and at one point, nearly 100,000 people in the area were left without power.
Fort Myers, a city still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Ian two years ago, was once again in the crosshairs of a major storm.
Floodwaters rose quickly, leaving residents with little time to prepare.
“By 6 o’clock, it was already up above a foot,” A local said, recalling how they scrambled to let water out of their house. Many there expressed a painful sense of déjà vu, comparing Helene to Ian.
“It’s like reliving a nightmare,” a resident said. “We’ve been here before, and it feels like we’re back at ground zero.”
As rescue and recovery operations continue, authorities are urging residents in affected areas to stay indoors and avoid dangerous floodwaters.
With the storm moving out of the region, officials are beginning to assess the long-term impact, but it’s clear that Hurricane Helene has left a profound mark on Florida and the surrounding states.
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