Hours after making landfall as a powerful Category 4 storm in Florida, Hurricane Helene has been downgraded to a tropical storm. Despite the downgrade, it continues to wreak havoc across the southeastern United States, prompting tornado watches and flash flood warnings in Georgia and the Carolinas, as reported by The Weather Channel. The storm is moving rapidly north through Georgia, bringing hurricane-force winds and heavy rainfall, according to the National Hurricane Center.
Warnings Issued for Safety
“This is a dangerous and life-threatening situation,” the National Hurricane Center stated in an update. Residents are advised to remain in their shelters, stay away from windows, and have multiple means of receiving warnings and updates.
Travel Disruptions Continue
Hurricane Helene, which already caused significant disruptions at airports on Thursday, continued to impact travel on Friday. By early morning, 700 flights had been canceled and more than 1,200 flights had experienced delays within, into, or out of the United States, according to flight tracker FlightAware. The most affected airport was Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina, which canceled 140 outgoing flights.
Tampa Airport Remains Closed
Tampa International Airport (TPA) reported nearly 100 canceled flights as of Friday morning. The airport had suspended all commercial and cargo operations early Thursday and remained closed on Friday. “Damage assessments are underway, and we will have an update on reopening plans later this morning,” TPA announced via a Facebook post.
Previous Day’s Cancellations
The travel disruptions follow a staggering 1,300 flight cancellations and over 6,200 flight delays from Thursday, according to FlightAware data. Major airlines have issued travel alerts, including Delta Air Lines, which extended its alert through Friday for travel via its hub in Atlanta—the busiest airport in the world. United Airlines also extended its alert through September 28 for several airports, including those in Nashville, Charlotte, and Raleigh/Durham.
Hurricane Season Outlook
Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night approximately 10 miles from Perry, Florida, marking it as the second major hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season. Experts from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warn that this season could be one of the most active on record.
Conclusion
As Hurricane Helene continues to pose a threat with severe weather and travel disruptions, authorities emphasize the importance of safety measures. Travelers are urged to stay informed and follow guidance from local officials as recovery efforts begin and assessments of the storm’s impact are conducted.
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