Hurricane Helene, one of the most powerful storms ever to hit the U.S., caused widespread devastation in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The storm, with wind speeds reaching 140 mph, made landfall in Florida as a category-four hurricane before weakening to a tropical storm.

Axar.az reports that the destruction was significant, with at least 45 people dead and millions left without power. Homes were torn apart, bridges collapsed, and roads flooded. Aerial images showed damaged houses and debris scattered across affected areas like Horseshoe Beach, Florida, and Valdosta, Georgia. Many residents were forced to evacuate, while others, like those in Peachtree Creek, Georgia, used boats to navigate the floodwaters.
Rescue efforts were underway, with emergency teams like Atlanta's Fire Rescue Water Team helping stranded individuals. In Florida’s Big Bend, locals like Nash Harris returned to salvage belongings from damaged homes. In Crystal River, airboats were used to evacuate residents as floodwaters surged. Off the coast, the U.S. Coast Guard rescued a man and his dog from a disabled sailboat.
The storm caused severe power outages, affecting over a million people. Utility workers were poised to repair the damage as soon as it was safe. Ahead of the storm, many people took refuge in shelters, preparing for the worst by boarding up homes and stocking up on supplies.
As floodwaters receded, the scale of destruction became clear, with entire neighborhoods and infrastructure badly hit. The damage is estimated to run into billions of dollars, with recovery expected to take months.