Maps track Hurricane Helene's 800-mile path of destruction across southeastern US
Correction: This story has been update to reflect the state with the highest number of reported fatalities.
Hurricane Helene, which left massive destruction along the Florida coast since making landfall Thursday, is now causing historic flooding, wide-ranging power outages, and other damage in an that's affecting the Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, and other states.
More than have been attributed to the Category 4 hurricane in the southeast 91影视 More than 2 million homes and businesses are without power.
In North Carolina, high water from excessive rainfall has inundated Asheville and other cities, trapping residents in their homes without lights and food. Flooded roads are making it difficult for rescue workers to reach them, 91影视 reported.
91影视 has tracked Helene's path of devastation through the southern 91影视 Here is what we found:
Helene landed in Florida and moved north
Can't see our graphics? Click here.
Heavy rainfall continued as Hurricane Helene moved inland
Thursday, Sept. 26
Florida
Helene makes landfall at 11:10 p.m. near Perry, Florida, as a Category 4 storm with 140 mph-winds and large field of hurricane-force and tropical storm winds.
Friday, Sept. 27
Georgia
Helene early Friday morning as a Category 2 hurricane with wind speeds of up to 100 mph. Heavy rain raises rivers in Atlanta.
Tennessee
The in Greene County is at risk for a breach, the Tennessee Valley Authority says late Friday night. After Nolichucky River waters crest, the TVA announces the dam is 鈥,鈥 on Saturday afternoon.
At least from the roof of the Unicoi County Hospital about 120 miles northeast of Knoxville on Friday afternoon after the facility is surrounded by flood waters from Helene.
Saturday, Sept. 28
Florida
North Carolina
Buildings and bridges in , a village near the popular , are destroyed by flooding from the Broad River.
The state Department of Transportation says in North Carolina should be considered closed and that in multiple locations.
South Carolina
On Facebook, the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg says floods and wind damage are 鈥 .鈥澛
Why is Helene so destructive?
Forecasters warned last Tuesday that a combination of weather patterns would likely soak the region. A was predicted to interact with a plume of moisture being pulled in ahead of Helene, 91影视 reported.
Specifics of Hurricane Helene include:
- Size: It was large, about .
- Strength: Winds reached 140 mph at landfall, creating widespread storm surge.
- Heavy rains: In the North Carolina mountains alone, rainfall totals were 29.6 inches at Busick and 24.2 inches at Mount Mitchell.
- Speed: Helene was moving up to 24 mph offshore and over land.
More than 100 deaths reported in six states
The number of deaths continues to be updated. Reuters reports at least 100. CNN says with North Carolina having the highest number.
- North Carolina: 47
- South Carolina: 26
- Georgia: 25
- Florida: 11
- Tennessee: 4
- Virginia: 2
This story has been updated to include the latest information.
Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver, Josh Meyer, N'dea Yancey-Bragg, Will Hofmann, Michael Loria, Jeanine Santucci, 91影视
Source: 91影视 Network reporting and research; Reuters; National Hurricane Center; poweroutages.us; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration