Weather
Hurricane Helene Death Toll Risen: At least 200 people killed, What we know about victims so far
Hurricane Helene, the deadliest hurricane to strike the mainland United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005, has claimed the lives of at least 193 people. Hundreds remain missing, and the death toll is expected to rise.
The storm ravaged several states, with North Carolina bearing the brunt of the damage. Over 100 fatalities have been reported in the state alone, with Buncombe County accounting for the highest number of deaths.
South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida also experienced significant losses, with dozens of fatalities reported in each state. Tennessee and Virginia recorded smaller numbers of deaths.
As rescue efforts continue, the full extent of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene is gradually becoming clear. The storm’s devastating impact will be felt by communities across the region for years to come.
Breakdown of Fatalities by State:
- North Carolina: 101+ deaths (hundreds missing)
- Buncombe County: 61+ deaths
- Yancey County: 9 deaths
- Henderson County: 6 deaths
- Haywood County: 6 deaths
- Avery County: 5 deaths
- Cleveland County: 2 deaths
- Watauga County: 2 deaths
- Catawba County: 1 death
- Gaston County: 1 death
- Polk County: 1 death
- Mecklenburg County: 1 death
- Macon County: 1 death
- Madison County: 1 death
- Ashe County: 1 death
- Yadkin County: 1 death
- Burke County: 1 death
- Rutherford County: 1 death
- South Carolina: 37 deaths
- Spartanburg County: 6 deaths
- Aiken County: 6 deaths
- Greenville County: 6 deaths
- Saluda County: 4 deaths
- Anderson County: 4 deaths
- Laurens County: 3 deaths
- Newberry County: 2 deaths
- Chester County: 2 deaths
- Greenwood County: 1 death
- Chesterfield County: 1 death
- Richland County: 1 death
- York County: 1 death
- Georgia: 25 deaths
- Richmond County: 6 deaths
- McDuffie County: 4 deaths
- Lowndes County: 3 deaths
- Wheeler County: 2 deaths
- Laurens County: 2 deaths
- Jeff Davis County: 2 deaths
- Washington County: 2 deaths
- Colquitt County: 1 death
- Pierce County: 1 death
- Liberty County: 1 death
- Columbia County: 1 death
- Florida: 19 deaths
- Pinellas County: 12 deaths
- Hillsborough County: 2 deaths
- Dixie County: 1 death
- Charlotte County: 1 death
- Others: 3 deaths
- Tennessee: 9+ deaths (85+ missing)
- Cocke County: 2 deaths
- Unicoi County: 2 deaths
- Johnson County: 1 death
- Greene County: 1 death
- Others: 3 deaths
- Virginia: 2 deaths
- Craig County: 1 death
- Tazewell County: 1 death
Key Points:
- Deaths: At least 200 confirmed fatalities across four states, including firefighters killed by a falling tree and residents who ignored evacuation orders.
- Widespread Damage: Homes destroyed, towering trees snapped, power outages impacting millions, and infrastructure damage in Georgia and South Carolina.
- Flooding: Catastrophic flooding across the region, with some areas receiving over a foot of rain. North Carolina facing potential historic flooding.
- Rescue Efforts Ongoing: Emergency crews working tirelessly to reach stranded residents trapped in floodwaters.
- Financial Impact: Moody’s Analytics estimates $15 to $26 billion in property damage.
Heartbreaking Stories:
- Laurie Lilliott in Dekle Beach, Florida, returned home to find her roof collapsed due to the storm surge.
- Kera O’Neil in Hudson, Florida, was forced to escape her home chest-deep in floodwaters with her cats.
- Residents in Unicoi County, Tennessee, were rescued by helicopter as floodwaters inundated their hospital.
Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact on Georgia has resulted in multiple fatalities. Among the victims is firefighter Vernon “Leon” Davis, who lost his life while rescuing others in Blackshear.
The storm also claimed the lives of a 4-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl in Washington County. A tree fell on their bedroom, tragically ending their lives.
In Wheeler County, two individuals were killed when a suspected tornado tore through the area, overturning their mobile home.
Laurens County has reported two additional fatalities, including one death attributed to a vehicle crash.
As authorities continue to assess the damage and recover victims, the full extent of Helene’s tragic toll in Georgia is becoming clearer.
Recovery Efforts Begin:
- President Biden offered prayers for survivors and deployed FEMA resources to assist with rescue and recovery.
- Over 1,500 FEMA workers have been deployed and assisted with 400 rescues by Friday morning.
- Power companies face a long road to restoring power to millions of homes and businesses.
- Officials warn of potential hazards in floodwater, including live wires, sewage, and debris.
Climate Change Concerns:
- Experts warn that climate change is intensifying hurricanes, leading to more powerful and destructive storms.
Looking Forward:
- The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, but it will take days and weeks to fully recover.
- The storm highlights the need for preparedness and the importance of following evacuation orders.
Weather
Injuries reported after tornado touched down in Scotts Valley
According to a preliminary survey, the tornado was classified as an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
Scotts Valley, CA – Severe weather wreaked havoc across the United States over the weekend, with a tornado striking near a shopping mall in Scotts Valley, California, overturning vehicles, uprooting trees, and sending several people to the hospital.
Meanwhile, in San Francisco, authorities issued the city’s first-ever tornado warning.
The tornado touched down near Scotts Valley, approximately 70 miles south of San Francisco, around 1:40 p.m. on Saturday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) confirmed the tornado caused significant damage, particularly along Mount Hermon Road.
A tornado was reported to have touched down in Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County, the NWS says.https://t.co/WEtYDDdbzU pic.twitter.com/6skkGu2ZXS— News Channel3 Now (@newschannel3now) December 14, 2024
According to a preliminary survey, the tornado was classified as an EF-1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale.
The tornado overturned at least six vehicles, toppled utility poles, uprooted trees, and damaged several businesses in the area, including a Target and a McDonald’s.
Notably, their iconic signs were destroyed. Scotts Valley Police Department reported five injuries from the event. Four individuals were treated and released from the hospital, while one person remains hospitalized with a punctured lung.
Among those impacted was a CAL FIRE battalion chief whose vehicle was briefly lifted by the tornado.
He was hospitalized as a precaution and is reportedly in good condition.
Mount Hermon Road, the epicenter of the tornado’s impact, remains closed between Scotts Valley Drive and Lockewood Drive. Police expect the road to reopen on Sunday morning after Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) completes repairs to damaged power lines and poles.
The damage assessment is ongoing, and there is currently no estimate of the total financial loss caused by the tornado.
While Scotts Valley bore the brunt of the tornado, San Francisco issued its first-ever tornado warning.
This rare alert was prompted by rapidly intensifying conditions in the area. Although no tornado touchdown has been confirmed within the city, damage consistent with high winds was reported, including fallen trees, debris in the streets, and damaged rooftops.
Meteorologist Roger Gass from the NWS office in Monterey emphasized the significance of the warning, noting that it marked the first advanced tornado alert for San Francisco since records began.
The last known tornado in the city occurred in 2005, striking without a warning.
The tornado in California was part of a larger system of inclement weather impacting the nation. In the Midwest, a significant ice storm created hazardous driving conditions in Iowa and Nebraska, forcing temporary closures of Interstate 80.
Meanwhile, in upstate New York, a snowstorm dumped over 33 inches of lake-effect snow near Orchard Park, leading to treacherous conditions.
The National Weather Service continues to monitor ongoing severe weather threats across multiple states. Residents in affected areas are urged to remain cautious and adhere to local safety warnings.