Florida's I-4 Tragedy: First Fatality in Hurricane Helene's Wrath

Highway sign crushes car in Helene windsPhoto byauthor screenshot

Florida's Big Bend

Florida's Big Bend region, located in the northwestern area of the state, suffered the wrath of its first Cat 4 hurricane since 1851. On Thurday, September 26, Helene touched land just east of the Aucilla River near Perry, Florida, at 11:10 p.m.

Florida authorities urged locals to avoid traveling on the roads. Safety warnings involved approximately 40 million people. Motorists were seen attempting to use bridges that were being whipped with water and wind around them.

Hurricane Helene landfallPhoto byauthor screenshot

Freak Accident

Many residents do what they can to prevent tragedy. Freak accidents can't be anticipated but threats exist.

Hours before Hurricane Helene made it to land, the first fatality due to the powerful and expansive storm's winds occurred on Interstate 4 in Tampa, Florida on Thursday night.

The Florida Highway Patrol has not released information beyond recording the event as a deadly crash. The large highway sign resting on the top of the vehicle it crushed was captured on traffic cameras.

Hurricane Safety

The warnings to prepare for a hurricane start well before the actual landfall. Widespread flooding and high winds destroyed infrastructure and caused power outages -- over 500,000 homes and businesses lost power before Hurricane Helene touched land as reported by FPL and Duke Energy.

"The leading cause of death from hurricanes is water, not wind," Craig Fugate, ex-chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, has warned.

Ready.gov offers guidelines and helpful information to assist people in preparing for hurricane activity:

1. Receive emergency alerts and warnings
2. Create a shelter plan
3. Learn your evacuation route
4. Have a household communication plan
5. Update your emergency preparedness kit

Hurricane HelenePhoto byAuthor screenshot | NOAA

Alerts

Local emergency managers work with state and local agencies including tribal and territorial partners to make recommendations based on your area's threat. Take heed early to follow safety guidelines.

Download the FEMA app
Sign up for community alerts

FEMAPhoto byauthor screenshot

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Sources:
Mirror
Wikipedia
BearsWire
Ready.gov