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Effects of Hurricane Helene in Florida

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Effects of Hurricane Helene in Florida
Helene at peak intensity just prior to landfall in the Big Bend region of Florida on September 26
Meteorological history
DurationSeptember 26–27, 2024
Category 4 major hurricane
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds140 mph (220 km/h)
Lowest pressure938 mbar (hPa); 27.70 inHg
Overall effects
Fatalities26[1][2]
Damage$21.1 billion (2024 USD)
Areas affectedFlorida
Part of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season
Effects

Other wikis

Hurricane Helene brought destructive effects to Florida. The eighth named storm, fifth hurricane and second major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, Helene made landfall in Florida on September 26, bringing destructive effects across the state. Across Florida, Helene led to destructive winds and historical storm surge.

Preparations

[edit]
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, sheltering part of its Cessna 172 fleet in a purpose-built parking garage in preparation for Hurricane Helene

Hurricane warnings were issued for the Big Bend area of Florida, with nearly all of Florida, except the westernmost part of the Florida panhandle, put under a tropical storm warning.[3] In addition, on the evening of September 26, an extreme wind warning was issued for the east part of the Florida Panhandle,[4][5] the first since Hurricane Idalia. On September 23, Governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 41 Florida counties.[6] The next day, this was expanded to 61 counties.[7] U.S. President Joe Biden authorized a federal disaster declaration for 61 counties across Florida.[8] Locally, Volusia County issued a state of emergency.[9] Several sandbagging sites opened up across the state.[10][11] On September 24, several state parks were closed: four of them in Franklin County, two in Gulf County, and one in Gadsden County.[12]

In the Tampa Bay area, officials announced that schools would be closed ahead of the storm.[13] A college football game between Florida A&M University and Alabama A&M University, which was scheduled for the weekend of September 28–29, was postponed until November 29 due to the storm.[14][15] At Florida State College at Jacksonville, classes and activities at the campus were canceled for two days.[16] The SpaceX Crew-9 mission, which would have launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on September 26, was delayed to September 28 due to the storm.[7][17][18] The Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens planned to close on September 26 and canceled events on that date.[19]

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party was canceled due to Helene, with SeaWorld Orlando and several other parks in Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando also closing or modifying their hours.[20][21] Halloween Horror Nights was also canceled.[22] The universities of Central Florida, Embry–Riddle Aeronautical, Florida, Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida State, Keiser, Lynn, North Florida, South Florida, and Stetson announced closures of their campuses and suspended academic operations.[23][24] Leon County opened up schools to be used as shelters.[25]

On September 24, Citrus County issued mandatory evacuations for zone A, which includes coastal areas in the communities of Crystal River and Homosassa. In Wakulla County, a mandatory evacuation was ordered for all residents and visitors, while in Hernando County, mandatory evacuations were ordered for anyone west of US 19 and all residents in coastal or low-lying areas and those living in manufactured homes.[7] Two prisons in Wakulla County holding a combined 2,500 inmates were not evacuated despite the evacuation order issued to residents.[26] Gulf County issued mandatory evacuations for all visitors. In Charlotte County and Franklin County, mandatory evacuations were issued for barrier islands, low-lying and flood-prone areas, manufactured homes, and homes that did not meet building codes.[7] In Sarasota County, officials issued an evacuation order for Level A and manufactured home communities on September 25.[27]

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, and Tampa International Airport were closed on September 26.[28][29][30] Further north, Tallahassee International Airport was closed the same day.[31] In Miami, parking garages open to allow residents to shield their vehicles from storm damage at no cost.[32]

Impact

[edit]
Most intense landfalling tropical cyclones
in the U.S. state of Florida† as of 2024
Rank System Season Barometric pressure
1 "Labor Day" 1935 892 mbar (hPa)
2 Michael 2018 919 mbar (hPa)
3 Andrew 1992 922 mbar (hPa)
4 "Florida Keys" 1919 927 mbar (hPa)
5 "Okeechobee" 1928 929 mbar (hPa)
6 "Great Miami" 1926 930 mbar (hPa)
Donna 1960
8 Irma 2017 931 mbar (hPa)
9 Helene 2024 938 mbar (hPa)
10 "Florida" 1948 940 mbar (hPa)
Source: HURDAT,[33] Hurricane
Research Division[34]
†Intensity refers to central barometric pressure upon striking land.
The Florida National Guard cleaning damage in Keaton Beach, Florida, following Helene

By the morning of September 26, 2024, thousands in the Tampa Bay area were experiencing power outages.[35] Wind gusts reached 64 mph (103 km/h) in Fort Lauderdale, 72 mph (116 km/h) at Opa Locka Airport, and 67 mph (108 km/h) in Naples.[36][37] Storm surges in Steinhatchee reached 9.63 feet (2.94 m).[38] Key West experienced storm surge of 1 to 3 feet (0.30 to 0.91 m).[39] Storm surges reached 7.18 feet (2.19 m) in Tampa.[40] Preliminary storm surge modeling has found that areas of the Big Bend experienced inundation of more than 15 feet.[41] About 1.3 million people lost power in the state.[42] The Stan Gober Memorial Bridge shut down due to flooding, and all sporting events in Collier County on September 27 were canceled.[43]

Multiple Waffle Houses in Tallahassee and one in Crawfordville shut down, raising the Waffle House Index to red, indicating the possibility of severe damage to the restaurant.[44] Orlando International Airport, remaining open, saw 65 cancellations on September 26, and 92 cancellations occurred at Miami International Airport.[45][46] The Central Florida Pipeline, which supplies fuel used for jet planes between Tampa and Orlando, was reported to be damaged as a result taking on saltwater during Helene.[47] The pipeline is the only direct source of new jet fuel to Orlando International Airport; the airport is instead relying on trucking in fuel and reserves[47] Several national parks experienced service disruptions due to the hurricane, with all services suspended at Dry Tortugas National Park due to storm surge.[48]

Seventeen fatalities have been reported in Florida, including at least eleven in Pinellas County;[49][50] two in Tampa involving a car accident where a sign fell on a car on I-4, along with an elderly woman who drowned inside her house; and one in Dixie County involving a tree falling on a home.[38][51][52][53] Of the deaths in Pinellas, ten have been drownings and one was caused by an electrical fire that started after water rushed into a home.[50] The Taylor County Sheriff's Office posted to social media asking for those who did not evacuate to write their birthday and other important information on their bodies in permanent marker and to email the similar information and their location to them to help search and rescue teams.[54] Pasco County Sheriff's Office rescued around 200 people in water emergencies.[55] In Citrus County, over 100 people and 50 pets were rescued after ten feet of storm surge hit the area.[56] In total, over 1,000 people had to be rescued in the Tampa Bay area.[57] In addition, rainfall totals in the county peaked at 2.66 in (68 mm) in Homosassa.[58]

Following the storm surge, multiple buildings in Clearwater Beach caught fire.[59] According to Taylor County sheriff Wayne Padgett, 90% of homes in Keaton Beach were destroyed.[60] At least 24 businesses and 70 homes were also destroyed in Gulfport.[61] In Manatee County, 230,471 structures were affected, with residential damage estimated at $347.2 million, while commercial damage reached $6.3 million, for a combined total of $353.5 million.[62][63] In Bradenton, 194 homes and seven commercial buildings suffered major damage, with the damage estimated at $41 million total.[64] In total, across Manatee and Sarasota County, the damage is estimated at $1.1 billion, with $755.7 million in Sarasota County, 3,137 buildings are also damaged or destroyed in the county.[65]

Despite not directly affecting Volusia County, gale-force gusts downed several trees, with a peak of 53 mph (85 km/h) in the county. More than 9,000 residents were without power as of September 27. In Edgewater, a carport blew over while a tree fell through the roof of a mobile home in the Sea Horse Mobile Home Park. A large tree fell into a duplex-style home through the roof in Seminole County, affected only by the storm's outer bands.[66] Seminole County saw 2,427 people without power, while neighboring Orange County saw 4,476 customers without power. In Apopka, the outer bands tore the roof off of a home.[67][68]

Elsewhere, in Flagler County, the highest gusts recorded were in Marineland, which had winds of 63 mph (101 km/h). Approximately 20,000 residents lost power from September 26 and 27. A tree fell through a roof at home in Palm Coast, while in Palm Beach, a "small scarp" received a local surge of 18 in (460 mm).[69]

Aftermath

[edit]

In the immediate aftermath of the storm, Governor Ron DeSantis distributed over 800,000 meals, a million liters of water, 28,000 bags of ice and 40,000 tarps to individuals in need.[70] Volusia County also deployed 28 emergency responders.[71] Holmes Beach banned tourists for 45 days after the hurricane.[72]

Hurricane Milton also made landfall in Central Florida around two weeks later, complicating recovery from Helene and adding to the damage.[73]

The state of Florida sued FEMA for failing to help victims affiliated with the Republican Party in the aftermath of Helene and Milton.[74]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Sutton, Joe (October 2, 2024). "Helene death toll rises to at least 191". CNN. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  2. ^ Phillips, Garrett (October 4, 2024). "25 Floridians dead from Hurricane Helene". WFLA-TV. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  3. ^ Yablonsk, Steven; Speck, Emilee; Sistek, Scott (September 25, 2024). "Tracking Tropical Storm Helene". Fox Weather. Archived from the original on September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  4. ^ "IEM Warning Archive". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  5. ^ "IEM Warning Archive". Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Archived from the original on September 1, 2020. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  6. ^ "Hurricane watch issued for parts of Cuba and Mexico, southeast U.S. under major storm warning". CTVNews. September 23, 2024. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d Childs, Jan Wesner; Harris, Tim; Straker, Renee (September 24, 2024). "Florida Hurricane Evacuations, Schools Closed For Helene". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  8. ^ Marlene Lethang (September 25, 2024). "Tropical Storm Helene live updates: 'Life-threatening' storm surge to hit Florida's west coast in next 36 hours". NBC News. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  9. ^ Jackson, Clayton (September 24, 2024). "State of emergency declared for Volusia County as storm preparations continue". Observer Local News. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  10. ^ "Sandbag sites open across Bay Area in preparation for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine". Fox 13 News. September 23, 2024. Archived from the original on September 23, 2024. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
  11. ^ Johnson, Dacia (September 24, 2024). "Where to find sandbags in Central Florida". WESH. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  12. ^ "Closures and cancellations ahead of Helene". WJHG. September 24, 2024. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  13. ^ "LIST: Tropical Storm Helene school closures". WFTS. September 24, 2024. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  14. ^ "FAMU postpones upcoming home game against Alabama A&M because of threat of Helene". The Derrick. The Associated Press. September 24, 2024. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  15. ^ Jones, Judson; Blinder, Alan (September 24, 2024). "Florida Prepares Warily as Tropical Storm Helene Brews in the Caribbean". New York Times. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  16. ^ "Helene: Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia school closure information". Action News Jax. September 24, 2024. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  17. ^ Pallone, Greg; Leone, Anthony (September 24, 2024). "NASA watching Helene as Crew 9 launch approaches". Spectrum News 13. Archived from the original on September 24, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  18. ^ Clark, Stephen (September 28, 2024). "SpaceX launches mission to bring Starliner astronauts back to Earth". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  19. ^ Josh Frigerio (September 24, 2024). "Tropical Storm Helene: Do Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens close?". Fox35 Orlando. Yahoo News. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "Hurricane Helene: Disney, Universal close some parks, cancel some events ahead of storm". FOX 35 Orlando. September 26, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  21. ^ "Walt Disney World Cancels Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party Due to Hurricane Helene, Adjusts Magic Kingdom Hours". Walt Disney World Magic. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  22. ^ Shepard, Skyler (September 26, 2024). "Hurricane Helene puts a halt on Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Orlando". WPEC. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  23. ^ "Florida State, Florida A&M, FGCU, USF, UF cancel classes and close campuses due to Hurricane Helene". WSVN 7. September 24, 2024. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  24. ^ "Daytona Beach Campus Will Be Closed". Embry-Riddle Newsroom. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  25. ^ Burlew, Jeff (September 25, 2024). "Tallahassee, Leon officials fear 'unprecedented damage' with Hurricane Helene direct hit". Tallahassee Democrat. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  26. ^ "In Wakulla County, all residents ordered to evacuate, but some inmates are left behind". Florida Politics. September 25, 2024. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  27. ^ Razzano, Tiffany (September 24, 2024). "Evacuations Planned In Sarasota County Ahead Of Helene: Officials". Patch. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 24, 2024.
  28. ^ "Busch Gardens closes for Hurricane Helene". Fox 13 News. September 25, 2024. Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  29. ^ "Tampa International Airport will suspend operations Thursday ahead of Hurricane Helene". Tampa International Airport. September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  30. ^ Capcha, Evelin Meza (September 25, 2024). "Helene se convirtió en huracán y se prevé que sea de categoría 3 o superior antes de impactar en Florida". infobae (in European Spanish). Archived from the original on September 25, 2024. Retrieved September 25, 2024.
  31. ^ Coleman, Jamiya (September 26, 2024). "Tallahassee International Airport closed Thursday ahead of Hurricane Helene". WCTV. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  32. ^ "'It's windy': Outer bands of Helene move into Broward, Miami-Dade". September 26, 2024.
  33. ^ "Atlantic hurricane best track (HURDAT version 2)" (Database). United States National Hurricane Center. April 5, 2023. Retrieved December 19, 2024. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  34. ^ Landsea, Chris; Anderson, Craig; Bredemeyer, William; et al. (January 2022). Continental United States Hurricanes (Detailed Description). Re-Analysis Project (Report). Miami, Florida: Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory, Hurricane Research Division. Retrieved December 19, 2024.
  35. ^ Sloan, Kaycee (September 26, 2024). "Thousands of Tampa Bay area residents without power amid Hurricane Helene". WFLA 8. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  36. ^ Erdman, Jonathan; Dolce, Chris (September 26, 2024). "Hurricane Helene Nears Category 4 Florida Landfall". The Weather Channel. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  37. ^ South Florida felt Hurricane Helene's impact. Here's your forecast., CBS News, September 27, 2024
  38. ^ a b Nicholls, Catherine; Paddison, Laura; Salahieh, Nouran; Ebrahimji, Alisha; Zdanowicz, Christina; Chavez, Nicole (September 27, 2024). "Live updates: Tropical Storm Helene plows through the Southeast after making landfall in Florida". CNN. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  39. ^ Maugeri, Steve; Cone, Allen (September 26, 2024). "Florida Keys feeling Hurricane Helene effects". CBS News. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  40. ^ "Record-breaking storm surge hits most of Tampa Bay, other parts of Florida". ABC Action News. September 27, 2024. Archived from the original on September 30, 2024.
  41. ^ @NHC_Surge (September 27, 2024). "Preliminary post-landfall modeling of storm surge from Hurricane Helene indicates areas within the Big Bend region of Florida near Keaton Beach, Steinhatchee, and Horseshoe Beach had water levels reach more than 15 ft above ground level" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  42. ^ Sundby, Alex; Dakss, Brian; Allen, Jason; Yeomans, David (September 27, 2024). "Hurricane Helene makes landfall in Florida's Big Bend as Category 4 storm; well over 2 million without power". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  43. ^ Live coverage: Latest on cleanup, Tesla fire, Naples Pier, waste and debris collection Archived September 30, 2024, at the Wayback Machine, Naples News, September 27, 2024
  44. ^ Christensen, Caroline (September 26, 2024). "Crawfordville Waffle House location closes as Helene barrels toward Big Bend". WCTV. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  45. ^ "Is Hurricane Helene aftermath slowing Florida travel? The latest on flights, airports". Miami Herald. September 27, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  46. ^ Schneider, Michael (September 26, 2024). "Orlando International Airport remains open despite impending storm". AP News. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  47. ^ a b "Hurricane Helene knocks out jet-fuel pipeline for Orlando International Airport". Orlando Sentinel. September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  48. ^ "Conditions from Hurricane Helene vary at Florida National Parks". RTravel. September 27, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  49. ^ Kumar, Divya (September 28, 2024). "Saturday live updates: Helene death toll rises, communities recover". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  50. ^ a b "Pinellas County death toll rises to 11 after Hurricane Helene: PCSO". www.fox13news.com. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  51. ^ Kumar, Divya (September 28, 2024). "Helene deaths in Tampa Bay now at 11". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  52. ^ "Hurricane Helene downgraded to tropical storm; at least 7 dead, millions without power". ABC 30. September 27, 2024. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  53. ^ "Hurricane Helene: Highway sign on top of car traveling on I-4 in Tampa, fatality reported". Fox 13 Tampa Bay. September 27, 2024. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  54. ^ Everett, Richard (September 27, 2024). "Florida sheriff asks residents who refused to evacuate to write information on body for identification after Helene landfall". WDHN ABC. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  55. ^ Paul, Gabriella (September 27, 2024). "Pasco emergency officials 'prepare for body recovery' in wake of Helene's storm surge". WUSF. Archived from the original on September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  56. ^ Suter, Ashley; Rousseau, Beth (September 27, 2024). "More than 100 residents rescued in Citrus County amid 10 feet of floodwaters". WFLA. Archived from the original on September 28, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  57. ^ Sullivan, Dan (September 28, 2024). "Tampa Bay saw more than 1,000 rescues during Hurricane Helene". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  58. ^ National Weather Service releases report on Helene, Bay 9 News, October 3, 2024
  59. ^ "RAW VIDEO: Structure fires burn near each other in Clearwater Beach after Hurricane Helene". WTSP. September 27, 2024. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
  60. ^ Hoffmann, Matt (September 27, 2024). "'All gone': Taylor County leaders estimate 90% of Keaton Beach homes destroyed". WCTV. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  61. ^ DeGregory, Lane (September 29, 2024). "Gulfport, like so many Tampa Bay communities, picks up Helene's pieces". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on September 29, 2024. Retrieved September 29, 2024.
  62. ^ Mendoza, Jesse; Szymanowska, Gabriela (September 29, 2024). "Locals return to Anna Maria Island homes and businesses broken by Hurricane Helene". Herald Tribune. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  63. ^ King, Elizabeth (October 5, 2024). "Helene damage estimates in Sarasota, Manatee surpass $1 billion". Business Observer. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  64. ^ "City of Bradenton releases its latest Helene damage totals". ABC7. October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  65. ^ King, Elizabeth (October 5, 2024). "Helene damage estimates in Sarasota, Manatee surpass $1 billion". Business Observer. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  66. ^ Silver, Catherine (September 27, 2024). "'This branch fell right beside me:' Helene sends tree through roof of Casselberry Home". WKMG. Archived from the original on September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  67. ^ Roberts, Treasure (September 28, 2024). "Outer bands of Helene damage Orange County home, ripping off roof". WKMG. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  68. ^ Kremposky, Averi (September 27, 2024). "Hurricane Helene's devastating impacts leave more than a million Floridians without power". WESH. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  69. ^ Carillo, Brenno (September 27, 2024). "Volusia-Flagler spared from worst of Hurricane Helene despite downed trees, power outages". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Archived from the original on September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  70. ^ Miami Charities head: Hurricane Helene recovery a multi-year challenge, MiamiArch, October 2, 2024
  71. ^ Volusia County deploys 28 emergency responders to help with Hurricane Helene aftermath, WESH, September 27, 2024
  72. ^ After Helene: Hope And Help Arrive, But There's Still A Long Way To Go, The Weather Channel, October 7, 2024
  73. ^ Double Blow to Florida Farms: Hurricane Milton Worsens Damage After Helene, FB, October 23, 2024
  74. ^ Florida sues former FEMA officials over Hurricane Helene, Milton failures, The Center Square, November 14, 2024
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