Hurricane leaves millions without power, four dead in southeast US

AFP | Tampa

The Daily Tribune - www.newsofbahrain.com

Email: editor@Newsofbahrain.com

Hurricane Helene knocked out power for millions of customers across the southeast United States yesterday and left at least four dead after it slammed into the Florida coast.

As it weakened into a tropical storm, Helene moved inland across Georgia and South Carolina, flooding roads and homes, and officials warned of flash floods and landslides from up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rain.

“This rainfall will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant and record river flooding,” the National Hurricane Centre said.

“Numerous significant landslides are expected in steep terrain across the southern Appalachians.” Four people had died from conditions caused by Helene as of early yesterday -- one in Florida, one in North Carolina and two in Georgia. One person was killed when a sign fell on a highway in coastal Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis said.

Two people were killed in Georgia, according to Governor Brian Kemp, with local media reporting the man and woman were killed when their trailer was picked up by a tornado. One person also died in Charlotte, North Carolina when a tree fell on a home, the fire department said.

Images on US media showed ripped billboard signs whipping in high winds and sparks flying from power lines.

More than 3.4 million homes and businesses were without power across Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas yesterday, according to tracking site PowerOutage.us.