Social media users are posting dramatic photos of severe flooding in Florida caused by Hurricane Helene. The storm made landfall in the northwest part of the state on Thursday night as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing sustained winds of up to 137 mph and even stronger gusts. This event is one of the most destructive weather occurrences in the region in recent years.
The Tampa General Hospital has taken measures to protect itself from flooding by using an AquaFence, a waterproof barrier capable of withstanding storm surges up to 15 feet. This barrier has been effective in previous rain events to prevent rainwater from disrupting the hospital's operations.
The hardest-hit area was the northwest coast, particularly the region known as Big Bend, which bore the brunt of the hurricane. According to reports, storm surges reached 20.6 feet in some places, resulting in catastrophic flooding in homes and businesses, as seen in the shared videos.
Hurricane Helene claimed one life in Florida (in Tampa) before moving on to Georgia as a Category 1 storm. Despite its downgraded status, it caused significant damage there, resulting in two fatalities in Wheeler County.