Hurricane Helen Causes Historic Flooding in Southeast US

Hurricane Helen struck southeastern states in the US with catastrophic flooding and devastation, claiming at least 63 lives. Official reports indicate fears of rising fatalities as rescue operations continue amidst widespread destruction. Over three million residents are without power, while the storm inflicted historic damage in regions like Florida's Big Bend, which was hit by wind gusts reaching 140 mph. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall on Thursday, following an intense path through Georgia and the Carolinas. Florida's officials described the impact as unprecedented, with storm surges exceeding 15 feet contributing to the severe situation. Cities like Atlanta recorded over 13 inches of rain within two days, indicating the most rainfall seen in over 140 years. North Carolina faces particularly dire circumstances, having experienced devastating flash floods and communications failure in some regions. Cleanup efforts are anticipated to be lengthy and arduous, especially in affected communities such as Cedar Key, which had just begun recovery from last year's Hurricane Idalia. The overwhelming destruction throughout the southeastern states illustrates an urgent need for rebuilding and resilient infrastructure for future storms.