Storm Helene leaves 1.1 million without power in Florida
A U.S. flag waves as Hurricane Helene intensifies before its expected landfall on Florida’s Big Bend, in Eastpoint, Florida, U.S. September 26, 2024. (Reuters Photo)
More than 1.1 million in Florida lost power after Hurricane Helene made landfall late Thursday night, particularly affecting the Big Bend region. In counties such as Taylor, Dixie, and Levy, over 80 percent of power connections were reported down.
The impact of Helene extended beyond Florida, with over 92,974 outages reported in Georgia and more than 28,000 in North and South Carolina. As the storm approached, power companies took precautions, staging over 18,000 line workers to address potential outages, according to Duke Energy. However, officials have cautioned that outages could be widespread and prolonged as the storm moves through the region.
Warnings related to the storm’s impact have reached as far north as Chicago. The National Weather Service has issued alerts for high winds that could uproot trees and disrupt power in that area. As communities brace for continued effects, utility companies remain vigilant in their efforts to restore service and maintain safety.
