Hurricane Helene may have come and gone, but the remnants of the powerful storm — which first made landfall on Florida’s Gulf Coast — traveled up the eastern seaboard and triggered heavy rains and flooding as far west as Tennessee.
As predicted, Helene made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane just west of Perry, Florida, late Thursday night — and set a new record for the strongest storm to hit the state’s Big Bend region.
While the strong winds were devastating, massive storm surges caused life-threatening flash floods and devastated entire towns. Almost every property saw some damage when the storm surge left Horseshoe Beach, Florida.
Heartbreaking scene as catastrophic storm surge leaves Horseshoe Beach, Florida destroyed. Almost every house sustained damage. @MyRadarWX #Hurricane #Helene pic.twitter.com/LcfXADRnEB
— Jordan Hall (@JordanHallWX) September 27, 2024
The National Hurricane Center warned before Helen hit Florida that conditions were ripe for flooding and landslides in the southern Appalachians. “This rainfall will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant river flooding. Numerous landslides are expected in steep terrain across the southern Appalachians,” a statement read.
In the days since, that prediction has also proved true as photos and videos of the floods and damages have continued to crop up on social media into the weekend.
“Massive debris flow traveling at lightning speed in eastern TN! The preceding drought conditions followed by days of rain ahead of Hurricane Helene set the stage. This is incredibly rapid for a debris flow,” meteorologist Reed Timmer posted.
Massive debris flow traveling at lightning speed in eastern TN! The preceding drought conditions followed by days of rain ahead of Hurricane Helene set the stage. This is incredibly rapid for a debris flow. pic.twitter.com/LhT2Dzos6B
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) September 28, 2024
Flooding also caused major damage to roads in North Carolina, leaving some major highways — particularly in the western part of the state — impassable.
🚨 REMINDER: 𝘼𝙇𝙇 𝙍𝙊𝘼𝘿𝙎 in Western North Carolina should be considered 𝘾𝙇𝙊𝙎𝙀𝘿.
I-40 and I-26 are impassable in multiple locations.
⚠️ Travel in this area for non-emergency purposes is hindering needed emergency response.#ncwx #Helene pic.twitter.com/jtK2ZMJW9T
— NCDOT (@NCDOT) September 28, 2024
“All roads in and out of Asheville, NC are still closed! It sounds like Asheville is still only accessible by air unless you head up from I26, and even then you will encounter closures before the city. This is an absolute mega disaster for western NC on the order of Hurricane Katrina,” Timmer posted.
All roads in and out of Asheville, NC are still closed! It sounds like Asheville is still only accessible by air unless you head up from I26, and even then you will encounter closures before the city. This is an absolute mega disaster for western NC on the order of Hurricane… pic.twitter.com/4llZNEx0Ae
— Reed Timmer, PhD (@ReedTimmerUSA) September 28, 2024
Chimney Rock Village also saw devastating flooding that took out major roads leading in and out.
Chimney Rock village is devastated. It is now “a road to nowhere.” pic.twitter.com/ptBamNJURx
— Nikolias Goninus (@nikoliasgoninus) September 27, 2024
Boone, N.C., was also hit with dangerous flooding and debris flows.
Life-Threatening Major flooding and debris flow in Boone.
Video is from my friend Aidan Haas at App State @spann @JimCantore #ncwx #Helene pic.twitter.com/ybWFEmZPYg
— Ethan Clark wx (@EthanClarkWX) September 27, 2024
Miles of Tennessee farmland were also left underwater as the ground quickly saturated and heavy rains had nowhere to go. “Tennessee farmland and the devastation hard working farmers must face. Pray for the farmers. They work so hard as it is and many can’t afford flood insurance and virtually none have hurricane insurance,” one posted. “#Helene took their livelihood.”
Tennessee farmland and the devastation hard working farmers must face.
Pray for the farmers. They work so hard as it is and many can't afford flood insurance and virtually none have hurricane insurance. #Helene took their livelihood. pic.twitter.com/Dfd8tj0486
— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) September 28, 2024
Video from Afton, Tennessee, showed flood waters taking out the Kisner Bridge over the Nolichucky River.
Powerful floods from Helene collapsed the Kisner Bridge in Afton, Tennessee, into the roaring Nolichucky River. pic.twitter.com/MkE20hm559
— AccuWeather (@accuweather) September 28, 2024
Some major roads in Tennessee were also rendered impassable due to floods and debris.
Interstate washed away in Tennessee.
So many lives and so much devastation.
I can't recall a hurricane that caused this much inland devastation.#Helene#Hurricane
Photo credit: VA State police pic.twitter.com/aizGmSP0pU
— Jennifer Coffindaffer (@CoffindafferFBI) September 28, 2024
