Scenes of Destruction From Deadly Helene Batters Florida With 20-Foot Storm Surge

Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Big Bend region in Florida on September 26 – making it the third hurricane to strike the area in 13 months – and continues to batter the Southwestern United States with a raging force.

Knewz.com has learned that the hurricane has prompted the first-ever flash flood warning in Atlanta , Georgia.

It has been reported that law enforcement officials in the Big Bend of Florida have issued a grim warning for those who have chosen not to follow the mandatory evacuation.

The Taylor County Sheriff’s Office has requested those who stayed back in the hurricane-struck region to write their name and other identifying information in permanent marker on their arms or legs—in the event they fall victim to the calamity and officials need help identifying the bodies.

“If you or someone you know chose not to evacuate, PLEASE write your name, birthday and important information on your arm or leg in A PERMANENT MARKER so that you can be identified and family notified,” Taylor County officials said in a statement, per reports.

In addition, county officials have also requested those unwilling to evacuate to email the Sheriff’s Office with the details of “who is staying put, including whether their address is inland or along the coastline, their address, and how many people will be staying there.”

As for those who did evacuate the county, officials have asked them not to return until they receive the official all-clear from the Emergency Operations Center.

Florida’s Taylor County is currently under a Hurricane Warning and Storm Surge Warning with up to 20 feet of storm surge expected, according to the National Hurricane Center.

It is worth noting that the National Weather Service in Tallahassee has called the storm surge levels “catastrophic” and “unsurvivable.”

The 20-foot storm surge has particularly been predicted in the area stretching from Carrabelle to the Suwannee River in Florida, while places like Apalachicola and Chassahowitzka are expected to experience storm surges of 10 to 15 feet.

As of now, power outages have reached 1.3 million in Florida after wind gusts reportedly exceeded hurricane-force strength. In Georgia, over 800,000 customers were left without power on Friday, September 27.

It has been reported that the effects of the “monster storm” will be felt throughout Tallahassee and parts of Georgia, as Hurricane Helene is expected to make its way inland on Friday.

The size and speed of the storm suggest that it will likely hold its intensity farther inland than most other hurricanes, making it more dangerous than other storms of its level (Helene was classified as a Category 2 hurricane at landfall), reports have mentioned.

While the storm surge remains a threat, the torrential rain accompanying the hurricane has led to the first-ever Flash Flood Emergency issued for downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

In addition, seven other Flash Flood Emergencies were also issued in western North Carolina from Asheville to the Charlotte area, according to reports.

Haywood County Emergency Services has issued an evacuation request to residents of Waynesville, North Carolina.

“EVACUATION underway FLASH FLOOD in Cruso Clyde and Canton and low-lying areas in Waynesville. Flood waters are extremely dangerous. Getting caught up in floods may result in injury or death. LEAVE NOW. Climb to higher ground. Do not drive through water,” the announcement on social media read .

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has said that at least 11 people have been reported dead in the state so far as a result of Hurricane Helene, which is a rapid increase from the death toll recorded earlier on September 27—according to which six people had lost their lives.

“The loss of life that we’ve seen – a lot of it has been by fallen trees because of the saturated ground… We also have potential for flash flooding and the waters are going to continue to rise,” Governor Kemp was quoted as saying.

In Peachtree Creek, Atlanta, firefighter crews have been using boats to rescue families trapped in their homes by floodwater.

Reports have further mentioned that at least one person has been confirmed dead in Florida due to a car crash on Interstate 4 in the Tampa area.

Officials from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office in Florida have stated that first responders have responded to over 100 water rescue calls and have rescued around 65 people so far.

Firefighters have reported a death in Charlotte, North Carolina, after a tree fell into a residence, trapping two people inside. While one of them was rushed to an area hospital, the other victim was found dead inside the home.

In Buncombe County, Western North Carolina, officials declared a local state of emergency on September 26 in the Asheville, Biltmore Forest, Weaverville, Woodfin, Black Mountain, and Montreat areas.

“County officials have advised residents who live near the French Broad and Swannanoa rivers to evacuate before Friday night, especially those in towns such as Fletcher and Biltmore Forest,” it was reported by Fox News.