Tropical Weather Latest: Millions still without power from Helene as flooding continues

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Updated 9:03 AM CDT, September 28, 2024

The remnants of Hurricane Helene dissipated Saturday but millions remain without power across the Southeast and officials warned that record-breaking river flooding is ongoing in parts of southern Appalachia.

The storm has been blamed for at least 46 deaths across five states, including 19 people in South Carolina. But officials fear the death toll could rise as authorities continue to take stock of Helene’s devastation.

The hurricane roared ashore Thursday night as a Category 4 storm on Florida’s Gulf Coast and then quickly moved Friday through Georgia, the Carolinas and Tennessee, uprooting trees, splintering homes and sending creeks and rivers over their banks and straining dams.

Tropical Storm John made its second landfall along Mexico’s Pacific coast Friday, while in its wake authorities in the resort city of Acapulco called for help from anyone with a boat to deal with the flooding. It has since dissipated over Mexico.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/hurricane-helene-latest-death-toll-aftermath-52162181c47f400351397fe1c71e32a6

[Sedona]

1. Checking in from Dekalb County

Still without power here.

Been out since 4am Friday.

We've been advised by Georgia Power we'll be turned back on by midnight.

Put about 20 gallons in the generator so far, ten more waiting on standby.

[csziggy]

3. My power went out about 1:30 AM Friday

Came back on about an hour ago (12:30 or so today). And of course, without power, the rural phone/internet box down the street runs out of battery power about 4 hours later.

My husband, who left to go to a thing in Orlando yesterday morning, called to check on me. He said the interstate (I-10) was kind of a mess, but clear enough to drive. He saw three semis off the side, mostly stuck in the mud. No idea why they would have been out in the storm.

As far as our farm, one big limb out of our old pecan tree, lost an old cherry tree that fell completely over. not sure about farther down the hill - I wasn't about to try driving through the pastures to check.

Overall, Tallahassee lucked out with that last hour jog to the east the storm did.

[KS Toronado]

2. That's a lot of lives lost for one storm

Wish we could furnish everyone who lives in areas prone to flooding with life jackets.

[Old Crank]

6. Not sure life jackets are a good choice

In rapidly moving turbulent water. Now once it slows they would be a help.
If this is the future of storms in these areas better preparation and local building control will have to take place to reduce the risk.

[Zorro]

4. Interstate 40 is impassable between Tennessee and North Carolina due to massive floods and a mudslide

I-40 is one of the most beautiful drives in the country.

https://www.citizen-times.com/story/weather/2024/09/27/interstate-40-closed-between-tennessee-asheville-north-carolina-floods-mudslide/75415474007/

[mitch96]

5. I lost power at 9P sept 26 thursday..Just came up about 1 hr ago.. A/C is a wonderful thing to have in Florida.nt