Hurricane Helene, a powerful storm that roared ashore as a Category 4 monster, has turned life upside down for millions across the Southeast. The storm, which has now weakened to Category 1, is leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. From flooded roads to grounded flights and widespread power outages, the impact of Hurricane Helene is being felt from Florida to the Carolinas.
The storm has plunged the region into a state of travel chaos, grounding hundreds of flights and shutting down major roads. Airports across the region are overwhelmed, with Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) cancelling all scheduled flights for Friday morning. Charlotte/Douglas International Airport has grounded 250 flights and delayed 25 others, while Tampa International is dealing with over 130 flight cancellations and 45 delays. Even Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs, isn’t spared, with 121 flights cancelled and 49 delays. Major airlines, including British Airways, United Airways, Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Delta, and American Airlines, are all affected, leaving passengers stranded and scrambling to rebook.
With roads turned into rivers by torrential rains, driving has become an incredibly dangerous proposition. In Charlotte County, Florida, authorities are urging people to stay home, as floodwaters are surging over roads and debris is blocking major routes. Sarasota County residents, especially those on Siesta Key, are essentially trapped, with both bridges to the island underwater. Emergency services in places like Levy County have been forced to stop responding altogether due to the hazardous conditions posed by flooding, downed power lines, and blocked roads.
Adding to the travel disruptions, nearly 2 million people are without power across Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. In Florida alone, over 1.2 million people are in the dark, while Georgia is reporting over 528,000 outages. These widespread power outages are further complicating rescue efforts and travel, leaving residents without electricity and facing challenges like non-functioning traffic signals and limited access to charging devices.
Hurricane Helene’s powerful storm surge has shattered records. Cedar Key saw water levels rise to 9.29 feet, while Clearwater Beach and St. Petersburg also experienced unprecedented flooding. Meanwhile, towns further inland are battling torrential rains. Sumatra, Florida, has received 15.50 inches of rainfall, and more is expected. Places like Busick, Georgia, and Lake Toxaway, North Carolina, have already measured over a foot of rainfall, and the situation is only getting worse.
Even though Helene has weakened, it’s still causing significant headaches as it moves towards Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Roads remain flooded, and there’s no clear timeline for when travel will return to normal. Flights continue to be cancelled, and even for those operating, delays are mounting. People are being advised to stay put, whether it’s sheltering at home or waiting at the airport. Emergency officials are working tirelessly, but with flooded roads and ongoing power outages, recovery will be a long and challenging process. As Hurricane Helene continues its destructive path, all eyes are on the storm and its ongoing impact on residents and travelers alike.
