By Sarah Roebuck
Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday night in northwestern Florida as a Category 4 storm, with forecasters warning of a “nightmare” storm surge and dangerous winds across the southeastern U.S., the Associated Press reported.
Helene made landfall near the Aucilla River in Florida’s Big Bend at 11:10 p.m. EDT, with winds reaching 140 mph (225 kph). This was just 20 miles from where Hurricane Idalia hit last year, causing similar destruction, according to the Associated Press.
Hurricane and flood warnings extended into northern Georgia and western North Carolina. Governors of five states, including Florida, Georgia, Alabama and the Carolinas, declared emergencies.
As Helene continues making its way as a tropical storm, it’s bringing catastrophic rainfall and life-threatening flash flooding as it moves toward Tennessee, ABC News reports.
First responders are working around the clock to rescue those in need of help.
Here’s a look at rescue operations across the southeast:
1. Venice, Fla.
The Venice Police Department and Venice Fire Rescue crews assisted with 30 rescues of residents in coastal areas on Thursday.
2. Charlotte, N.C.
The Charlotte Fire Department freed a man who was trapped in his home by a large tree.
3. Tampa, Fla.
Tampa Fire Rescue joined forces with the Tampa Police Department to respond to multiple water rescues throughout the city.
4. Atlanta
Atlanta Fire Rescue crews are deployed throughout the city to assist with rescues.
4. Citrus County, Fla.
Several agencies, including Citrus County Fire Rescue and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, were conducting multiple rescues overnight following the storm.
5. Hillsborough County, Fla.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister said Helene was the “worst storm I’ve seen in 33 years.” Chronister said deputies rescued more than 300 people overnight from the floods that Hurricane Helene brought to the county.
6. South Pasadena, Fla.
Crews from the South Pasadena Fire Department and Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office came upon a residence on fire while conducting water rescue efforts.