Hurricane Helene struck the Big Bend region of Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 4 hurricane late on September 26, 2024, leaving a significant mark across the southeastern United States. While the immediate landfall area experienced substantial impact, the most widespread and devastating effects of Hurricane Helene were felt inland, particularly across the southern Appalachian Mountains. This region faced unprecedented flooding, resulting in hundreds of tragic fatalities and billions of dollars in property damage. Beyond the flooding, strong winds extended far from the storm’s center, causing damage and widespread power outages from the Gulf Coast all the way into the mountains of North Carolina.
Wide-Reaching Wind and Rainfall Impacts
Although the eastern Carolinas were situated further from the direct path of Hurricane Helene’s eye, the storm’s influence was still felt. The region experienced rainfall ranging from under an inch along the immediate coastline to over four inches in inland areas. Wind gusts in the eastern Carolinas peaked between 45 and 60 mph during the morning of September 27th, demonstrating the expansive reach of Helene’s wind field. These conditions, while less severe than closer to the storm’s center, still caused localized disruptions and highlight the hurricane’s considerable size.
For more detailed local weather information, you can refer to these summaries: Rainfall Summary | Wind Gust Summary
Tornadoes Spun Off Far From the Center
Adding to the extensive impact of Hurricane Helene, lines of severe thunderstorms that developed well to the east of the hurricane’s center spawned six confirmed tornadoes across southeastern North Carolina and northeastern South Carolina on September 27th. This tornado outbreak, occurring far from the storm’s landfall location, further emphasizes the large scale and broad influence of Hurricane Helene. These tornadoes caused additional localized damage and underscore the complex hazards associated with even distant bands of a large hurricane.
The tornadoes varied in intensity, with details available for each confirmed event:
| Georgetown tornado details | Bay Road tornado details | Centenary tornado details |
|---|---|---|
| Garland tornado #1 details | Garland tornado #2 details | Hagley Landing tornado details |
| Tornado damage near the Bladen/Sampson County line along Helltown Road. | Tornado damage on the Helltown Road bridge over the South River. |
Conclusion: Helene’s Extensive Reach and Devastating Impact
Hurricane Helene in September 2024 was a large and impactful storm. While categorized as a Category 4 hurricane at landfall, its most significant characteristic was the broad geographical extent of its damaging effects. From the catastrophic flooding in the southern Appalachians to the wind damage stretching from the Gulf Coast to North Carolina, and the tornado outbreak in the Carolinas, Hurricane Helene demonstrated a large scale of impact that extended far beyond its immediate landfall location. The storm serves as a stark reminder of the far-reaching dangers associated with major hurricanes, even for areas not directly in the path of the eye.
Page Authors: Tim Armstrong and Bob Bright Last Updated: October 18, 2024
