At least 11 people have been confirmed dead in Georgia as a result of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane before being downgraded to a powerful tropical storm as it moved into Georgia early Friday morning.
Governor Brian Kemp announced that two deaths occurred in Wheeler County after a suspected tornado tore through the area in Middle Georgia. The Wheeler County coroner confirmed that the victims were killed when their mobile home was overturned by the storm. Their bodies were found approximately 100 yards from their home, according to the Wheeler County Emergency Management Agency (EMA).
In Pierce County, a firefighter tragically lost their life in Blackshear, Georgia, after a tree fell on their vehicle during the storm. The Pierce County Fire Department has confirmed the fatality, adding to the growing death toll caused by Helene’s rampage across the Southeast.
Additionally, two other fatalities were reported in Laurens County, One of the deaths has been attributed to a vehicle crash amid the dangerous weather conditions brought on by the storm.
These deaths in Georgia bring the total fatalities from Hurricane Helene to six, following the first reported death in Tampa, Florida, where a sign fell onto a vehicle, killing the driver.
Helene initially made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in the Big Bend area of Florida, approximately 10 miles west of Perry, before weakening into a tropical storm as it moved north. Despite being downgraded, the storm continued to cause widespread flooding, dangerous winds, and power outages across Georgia, particularly in the metro Atlanta area.
Authorities are closely monitoring the aftermath of the storm, with emergency services responding to widespread flooding, downed trees, and infrastructure damage across the region.
Key Updates on Helene’s Impact in Georgia:
- Widespread flooding: Heavy rainfall caused significant flooding throughout metro Atlanta and other parts of the state.
- Power outages: Thousands of homes remain without electricity as crews work to restore power.
- Tornado warnings: Several tornado warnings have been issued in Georgia as Helene’s remnants continue to bring severe weather.
Residents are urged to stay indoors and avoid travelling unless absolutely necessary, as officials work to clear roads and address the ongoing power outages and flood risks.
With Helene’s path still unfolding, authorities continue to warn of potential dangers as the storm slowly moves northward. Emergency response teams are being deployed across Georgia to assess damage and provide aid to those affected by the storm’s destruction.
