Hurricane Helene: A Devastating Blow to Florida
Hurricane Helene: A Devastating Blow to Florida Hurricane Helene, a powerful Category 4 storm, made landfall on the Florida Gulf Coast on September 26, 2024, causing widespread damage and disruption across the state. The storm brought torrential rains, high winds, and a storm surge that inundated coastal communities, resulting in significant property damage and loss of life. The Storm's Impact Power Outages: Duke Energy and Florida Power & Light (FPL), two of the largest utilities in the state, reported widespread power outages, affecting millions of residents. According to the Florida Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), over 2.5 million homes and businesses were left without electricity. Flooding: Coastal areas, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, experienced severe flooding as the storm surge pushed seawater inland. The National Weather Service reported that some areas received over 20 inches of rainfall, leading to widespread flooding and property damage. Infra...